Tag: defiling

…the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body… (James 3:6, LSB)

When I read those words, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ words.

What comes out of a person is what defiles him.

For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.

All these evil things come from within and defile a person. (Mark 7:20-23)

I haven’t thought of words much as something that defiles me. That makes me unclean before my Lord.

But words express what is in my heart. And Jesus says that on the day of judgment I will have to account for every careless word I have spoken (Matthew 12:33-37)

Father, like Isaiah, I am a man of unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5). How often have I defiled myself by the careless things I have said? Forgive me.

Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule me.

Then I will be blameless
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:12-14)