10 Tips for Spiritual Hygiene for your Mouth

Patti Maguire Armstrong suggests 10 Scripture-based ways to tame our tongues.

As we all know, the tongue can be a harsh weapon. Good spiritual hygiene includes being careful about what comes out of our mouths.

“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:11)

Here are some tips for keeping our mouths and souls in good condition.

Don’t be a potty mouth.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Don’t use the Lord’s name in vain.

God’s last name isn’t "Damn" and Jesus Christ is not something to yell when stubbing a toe.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in Heaven and on Earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2: 9-11)

Do not gossip or speak ill of people.

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)

Don’t lie.

And lies don’t come in the color white.

Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4:25)

Stop complaining and criticizing.

“Offering up” our suffering in union with Christ opens us up to graces and answers prayers. Complaining and criticizing leaches some of that off.

Do everything without grumbling or questioning. (Philippians 2:14)

Pray.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (James 5:13)

Praise God.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Instruct people when the opportunity is right.

It’s a Spiritual Work of Mercy.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)

Confess your sins.

The sacrament of confession is more powerful than an exorcism, an exorcist once told me. The former is a sacrament and an exorcism is a blessing.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Wear a mouth guard.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)

That should cover the most obvious pitfalls for the mouth. As a writer, the list isn’t from me to you: it’s a list of reminders for myself that I’m sharing with you. If we follow it, and with just a bit of flossing each night, our mouths should all be in pretty good shape.

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Good spiritual hygiene includes being careful about what comes out of our mouths. #catholicmom

Copyright 2021 Patti Maguire Armstrong
Images (from top): Canva Pro; Pixabay (2017)