I Samuel 14b- Put a lid on it!

Read I Samuel 14: 24-52
²⁴ And the men  of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. ²⁵ Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was honey on the ground. ²⁶ And when the people had come into the woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. ²⁷ But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened. ²⁸ Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint.
²⁹ But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. ³⁰ How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”

Saul, makes this rash declaration, that no one can eat until they win the battle. So consequently all the men are famished, and suffering from it. Except Jonathon, who didn't know, and ate, and is ready to take on the Philistines. Rash. This is never a good idea. Haste makes waste. Many of us have heard that expression. But it goes for our words too. Ever make a rash declaration? Well, if you read the rest of the chapter, Saul is forced to eat his words (pun intended) when it comes out that Jonathan broke this rule he didn't know about. Now what? Well, Saul has so much pride that he is willing to back his words. Death to his son! But the people will not hear of it.  Jonathan is their hero, and they are beginning to wonder what has happened to the king from just a few chapters ago. But we know what happened to him. He lost focus. He got prideful. He doesn't need Samuel. He's got this. I have done that. Regularly. You see the problem with being a Christian for 30 years (woah) is that you know enough scripture and teachings to get spiritually lazy. You can begin to think you have heard it all. But there is no hearing it all. And the most elementary concepts are the ones that we struggle the most in, and bear the most repeating. And one of those areas of struggle for so many of us would be our tongue.
Hear are some verses to meditate on:

Proverbs 12:18 
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

James 1:26 ESV

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV 
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

James 1:19-20 ESV 
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Lord help me to filter my words through your Spirit. Let my words to my children, my husband, my family and friends reflect the love I have for them, and not the emotion I feel in that moment.  Amen! Let's pray for each other today! Let me hear an Amen in the comment section if you want prayer for your tongue too! I don't want those around me to suffer because my words are like a sword. But I pray that my words would bring healing! AMEN!!