3 What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. Psalm 120:3-7

Have you ever seen a duck glide smoothly across a pond? It’s a peaceful, calming sight. What you usually can’t see is the duck’s feet. They are paddling furiously so that the duck can get to its destination. So while the the duck appears to be calm on the outside, on the inside it is working hard.

The psalmist continued to make references to the tongue and how powerful it is. We must remember that our tongue can really be a dangerous tool if we are not careful. When others are throwing flames at us, our words still need to be peaceable and patient. Inside we may be infuriated and very upset, but on the outside calmness and peace should be the order of the day.

It certainly doesn’t mean we have to be meek and passive, but it does mean that externally we need to be the “adult in the room.”

Now, is this easy? Not at all. It never is. But it is doable with the Lord’s help.