The power of the tongue cannot be over-estimated. The tongue can lift up or tear down. It can encourage or defeat. With a few well-placed words, a person can be misdirected from the course God has set him on. Just as Satan misled Eve, so can we be misled. 

Prov 15:4 tells us that the tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. It is easy to forget or not even notice the harm we do when we 'share' information with others. I have noticed that those that whisper in a crowd usually are not edifying the body of Christ. 

Ps 39:1 I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."  

One of the most difficult things I have tried to learn is when to keep my mouth shut and when to speak. It is not easy to discern the wisdom of silence and the wisdom of instruction. I have learned one of the best ways for me to handle gossip is to simply walk away or change the subject completely. 

While in a charge position at work, I placed a sticky note directly in front of me. It simply said, "EOMS". It definitely drew a lot of attention. Until the workers around my desk became accustomed to seeing it there, I had to explain it repeatedly. It simply means 'ears open, mouth shut'. It drew laughs as well as nods of understanding. I learn a lot more if I listen and don't speak.  

We are encouraged to love the Lord with all our hearts and minds and spirits. I would add one more thing to that. Love Him with our lips. Praise Him. His Word gives us eternal life. Give Him eternal praise. 

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Have you ever been asked to trust someone who has a reputation for being untrustworthy?  Has the Lord ever lead you to step out in faith to witness to someone you felt very uncertain as to their motives?
   
Many years ago, a man was lead to put the collection of his church in the hands of a known gang leader by the name of Nicky Cruz.  The result was the conversion of many who would never have been witnessed to because of their lifestyle.  The Cross and the Switchblade is a modern day picture of the conversion of Saul to Paul.  The church leadership was horrified at the pastor's action but the pastor stepped out in faith at the Spirit's leading and the rest is history.
   
The early church was horrified and furious at the actions of Ananias and his healing of Paul.  All the evidence of Paul's past actions made trusting him difficult.  The Lord had a plan for the salvation of the gentiles (you and me) and Paul was the main character in that plan.  Ananias was obedient and the rest is history.
   
When you feel led to do something out of your comfort zone, think of Ananias, think of the missionaries who put their lives on the line, think of Elijah standing up to the Baal worshipers.  All they do is stand on the faith that the Lord is leading them and trust in His protection and wisdom.  The salvation of God's people is in the hands of people like you and me.  He does not assign that task with out preparing us either ahead of time or on the path as we follow His leading.

We have lost our fear of the Lord.  We have lost our understanding of Who He really is and what He has done.  We have placed Him in a small place in our lives.  He is still our savior, but He has taken a back seat in our thoughts.  We concentrate of the here and now instead of our eternity. 

He is seeking and desiring us with a heart of mourning.  He desires to give us an understanding of His love for us and His plan for us. He desires that we seek and fear Him because we have a better understanding of Him. His Proverbs open our eyes to a deeper knowledge of His heart. n    When we seek Him with our whole heart, He is faithful to open our eyes and ears to the treasures of wisdom

(Col 2:3). He has given us an instruction manual with sign posts on the paths of our lives and He has placed before us a map that shows our final destination.  He has drawn for us a picture of our eternal home that is breathtaking.  He has shown us the details of the battle for our eternal souls and the final punishment for those who reject His gift of His Son.
   
​We can trust the Savior of our souls to be with us through thick and thin. When it feels like we have been blessed beyond all understanding and when the blessings feel very thin, we know that the Lord never changes. We know He has His eye on us. We know that He watches over the sparrow and even more, He watches over us.