Human beings are more than mere animals; we have been made in God’s image. As persons we can communicate with one another with words—something animals cannot do. We use words like love and patriotism to share our ideas and emotions. Think of the hours we spend talking, whether in casual conversations about trivia or deep discussions about important issues.

We have all kinds of devices to help us communicate. We have telephones, fax machines, computer bulletin boards, voice mail, radios, TV sets, and of course, printed materials of every kind.

The Bible recognizes that communication, a central component of our lives, needs to be monitored with great care. For example, Paul urged, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6). And James cautioned, “No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (3:8).

We need to guard our lips, making David’s prayer in Psalm 19:14 our daily prayer: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”  — Vernon C. Grounds