The tongue does not only impact on the quality of life that is open to people, it can also determine life’s duration as well. For a better grasp of this thought, let us examine our text from the New Living Translation: “For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” (1 Peter 3:10 NLT). Peter recommends two keys for a good, long life. Firstly, evil speaking must be avoided. Secondly, lies must be eliminated. These two are not necessarily the same, though they are both disastrous in effect.
“Since both evil and lying tongues will destroy, it is high time we asked the Lord to set a watch over our mouth so that we can speak with discretion at all times.”
Moses was guilty of evil speaking, though he spoke the truth. When the murmuring of the children of Israel got to an epic proportion, he called them rebels; wondering if water must be brought out of the rock for them. Were the children of Israel rebellious? You bet, they were. Moses did not lie here. However, calling them rebels and striking the rock in anger rather than speaking to it as the Lord commanded was his undoing. The psalmist put this into perspective when he referred to that outburst of anger. “They angered Him also at the waters of strife, So that it went ill with Moses on account of them; Because they rebelled against His Spirit, So that he spoke rashly with his lips.” (Psalms 106:32-33 NKJV). On the other hand, the man who brought a report to David that he was the one who killed Saul, lied; and that led to his untimely death. Since both evil and lying tongues will destroy, it is high time we asked the Lord to set a watch over our mouth so that we can speak with discretion at all times.