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I keep opening my mouth

 

How often do you open your mouth and say something you immediately regret? Often, I have the best intentions, but then fail to display a meek and gentle spirit towards my husband in my response to something he says. So often do I find myself saying a critical word about someone in a conversation. So often I find myself responding to a criticism or perceived wrong with a harsh word. Oh, I so regret opening my mouth at times. I have frequently prayed that God will set a guard over my mouth (Psalm 141:3). But, I forget to stop and heed the gentle prompt from the Holy Spirit and speak before thinking! Then I feel such guilt and shame and cannot wait to confess my sin and receive forgiveness. I thank God so much that he forgives my sin and cleanses me of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) then chooses not to remember my sins (Hebrews 8:12), meaning that he doesn’t hold it against us. I am particularly aware of this at this time of year—because of my sins, Jesus had to endure such a painful death. Oh, thank you, Father, for your amazing grace and redemptive plan.

I sometimes find that the enemy brings up my sins again and makes me feel guilty, even though they are forgiven and forgotten. I must be aware of this, as by allowing those harmful thoughts, I essentially say that I don’t believe Jesus did it all on the cross for me. But he did!

How often in the Psalms, does David talk about his iniquities yet in 1 Samuel 13 he is called a man after God’s own heart. It is a relief that even David got it wrong; even David made mistakes; even David sinned against God and was repeatedly forgiven when he repented.

So, friends, we will never be perfect in this world, but if we do sorrowfully repent, we are forgiven and we can feel assured of that.  May God bless you abundantly.

 

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