Recently my attention has been drawn back to the ancient book of Isaiah. When Isaiah saw the Lord seated on the throne in all his power and holiness (Isaiah 6), his response was as follows:
5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
Why did Isaiah see his sin as focused on his lips, speech, or conversation? Perhaps it has something to do with the truth that Jesus spoke that it is from the outflow of the heart that the mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
The problem I find is that if I am not spending time in the presence of a Holy God- I don’t even recognize when my speech is wrong. I get so used to the unclean voices of the world around me that it no longer grates on my soul like fingernails on the chalkboard.
Most Christians would agree that certain things are sins. In Colossians 3, Paul gives a list of the big ones:
Col.3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
But he doesn’t stop there, he goes further into the areas that are harder in these days of social media:
8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Do our post/tweets, or responses fit any of these categories?
What about when we are truly attempting to cope with a difficult situation? Can’t we just be honest about our concerns?
Yes, in the right place, at the right time. We know Job said a lot of things to God that seem pretty confrontational. Yet God specifically said to Job’s friends, “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” Through all the loss he experienced God says, 1:22 “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong”. Unlike Job’s wife who did want him to “curse” God.
My point is that when Job poured out his questions and frustrations with God in front of his friends they were not drawn closer to the truth about God. They started speaking out of their understanding and spouting theories regarding God and Job. Job did not sin…but first he had to get into the presence of God and learn to shut his mouth!
40:3 Then Job answered the Lord and said:
4 “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further.”
THEN- he was able to have a clear enough picture of who God is to pray for his friends’ salvation.
8 And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
Confession: I heard recently that words of mine had caused another to doubt the goodness and faithfulness of God. My indulgence in a pity party, my wanting to receive sympathy and support, my pathetic inability to wait on God to carry me through a particular storm without whining; caused me to question God in front of someone whose faith was not strong enough to handle my crisis of faith. Please God, forgive me and have mercy!
Sitting recently before God with the weight of this on my heart has been difficult because more than anything I desire for this person’s faith to be restored. That they would come to know who God truly is and not the distorted picture of Him that I and others have shown them. Please God, before I utter another word send a coal from the altar and purify my lips!