How beautiful is your tongue - or have you never really considered your tongue in terms of its attractiveness? You normally don’t check it in the mirror multiple times during the day, go on shopping trips for it, schedule appointments for it at the tongue beautician, or purchase cosmetics for it. Yet, it is the tongue, more than the shape of your face or the dimensions of your figure or your theological knowledge, which determines your beauty.
Physically, the tongue is one of the body’s most versatile organs. It plays an important role in speaking and in eating.It is also the bearer of taste and tactile sensations and so gives you pleasure in eating. It gives warning of possible injury by registering pain when foods are too hot and revulsion when they are spoiled. In its role as manipulator, the tongue takes food into the mouth, moves it between the upper and lower teeth for chewing, and then molds the crushed and moistened particles into a ball for swallowing.
Spiritually, James 3:3-5 teaches that even though the tongue is small, it has the power to control a woman and everything in her life. Isaiah 6:1-8 relates the account of how God called Isaiah to become a prophet.He did so by first giving Isaiah a vision of His awesome holiness and then by sanctifying the prophet’s tongue. Isaiah realized, after catching a glimpse of the purity of God, that his tongue needed to be purified (6:5-8).
James 3:8 reminds us that no man, only God, by His power, can tame or beautify the tongue, thus our need to schedule an appointment at God’s Tongue Toning Spa to maintain beautiful tongue in our homes. Let’s begin our appointment by completing the brief beauty consultation for your tongue.
A BEAUTY CONSULTATION FOR MY TONGUE
Record the number that best reflects your response to the statement*.
1. I have a challenge controlling my tongue
5 = never; 4 = very seldom; 3 = seldom; 2 = sometimes; 1 = usually; 0 = regularly
2. After an argument, I usually feel that I was most hurt by
2 = the issues that were involved; 1 = the words that were said.
3. In relation to gossip, I feel that I am
4 = never; 3 = seldom; 2 = sometimes; 1 = frequently guilty.
4. During this past week I chose to use to tongue constructively to
1 = comfort a friend; 1 = express love to a family member ;
1 = encourage someone in leadership; 1 = express sympathy or concern;
1 = witness for Christ.
5. Generally, I believe I talk
3 = the right amount; 2 = too little; 1 = too much
6. The misuses of the tongue I have under control include
1 = too talkative; 1 = complaining; 1 = gossiping; 1 = lying; 1 = exaggerating;
1 = boastful; 1 = too loud.
7. The qualities of the biblical use of the tongue that I have cultivated are
1 = kind; 1 = affirming; 1 = contented.
8. I have an appreciative tongue
4 = frequently; 3 = sometimes; 2 = seldom; 1 = never.
9. I practice the Ecclesiastes “a time to” passage and know when to keep silent and when to speak.
4 = frequently; 3 = sometimes; 2 = seldom; 1 = never.
10. I am prone to nagging.
4 = frequently; 3 = sometimes; 2 = seldom; 1 = never.
Consultation Total
Your number is the sum of all of the items that apply to you. An interpretation of your consultation is found at the conclusion of this blog post.*
Getting the Facts
When we begin an exercise program, a set of baseline measurements is helpful. The same is true with Tongue Toning. Let’s collect some baseline measurements by collecting some information:
Approximate length of my tongue =
My height in inches =
Percentage of my height that is tongue =
Tongue length divided by Height = ? or ? %
(My tongue length is 2.5” and my height is height is 66." 66"divided by 2.5 = .03 or 3%)
Having completed the baseline measurements, respond to this single evaluation question: Am I going to allow something that is ? % (insert your calculation) of my body height control me?
Since your “Tongue Toning Baseline Measurements” are complete and you responded to the initial evaluation, you need to select the order of your Tongue Toning regiment. You may choose from the following options:
The Appreciative Regiment
One of the most evident signs of genuine godliness is a sincere display of appreciation before your heavenly Father. What, according to Romans 1:21-27, was the tragic fault of those who have drifted away from God? The root cause was thanklessness. Those with beautiful tongues consistently express appreciation to their heavenly Father and others.
The Quiet Regiment
The Quiet Regiment is a difficult one to implement because it takes more muscle power to keep the tongue silent than to activate it. James 1:19 challenges us that we are to be “slow to speak.” You can often be a great help to others by simply listening.
The Affirming Regiment
The act of affirmation inspires others with renewed courage, spirit, and hope. It affirms individuals for who they are rather than for what they do. Proverbs 25:11 teaches us the value of affirming words: “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
The Contented Regiment
A grumbling, complaining tongue is an ugly tongue, while a contented tongue is a beautiful tongue. Going through life with a complaining spirit is like driving a car with your eye constantly on the rear view mirror. Philippians 2:14-15 teaches us that we are to “do all things without grumbling or disputing . . .” Instead of complaining about what you don’t have, practice the truth of Philippians 3:13-14 and press forward to what lies ahead.
A Final Thought
At the end of the age, we will be judged by how we have used our tongues. Matthew 12:36 teaches that “for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” What type of Tongue Toning Regiment will make your tongue a beautiful tongue so that love is consistently spoken in your home?
Beauty Consultation for My Tongue Interpretation
41-37 A maturing, appreciative, quiet, affirming, contented tongue
36-33 A commitment to an appreciative, quiet, affirming, contented tongue
32-29 An understanding of what constitutes an appreciative, quiet, affirming, contented tongue
28-25 A minimal commitment to an appreciative, quiet, affirming, contented tongue
24- 0 A tongue transplant is needed
© Pat Ennis
Next week’s post will probe the question, “is forgiveness practiced in my home?”
Blessings on your day as you seek to make your house a home!