Cranial Epiglottis

Chances are if you are a member of the human race something similar to the following has happened to you. You are engaged in a normal conversation with a family member, friend, or maybe even making small talk with a complete stranger in a grocery store, when out of nowhere, it happens. A thought forms and before your conscious brain has time to react, your mouth has conveyed the thought into spoken words, words that hang in the air in all their shining lack of brilliance, insensitivity, or downright unkindness. You stand in the awkward silence, wishing to retract them, but finding it far too late. Only a sincere apology, time, and a good dose of humility will begin to undo the damage caused by a thoughtless 'slip of the tongue'.

As I pondered this uncomfortable phenomenon known as 'open-mouth-insert-foot-syndrome' a fascinating idea suddenly struck me. Do you all remember the little body part we possess called the 'epiglottis'? This ingenious flap of cartilage has a very important function. In the action of swallowing it covers our windpipe to stop food or drink from entering and effectively preventing us from choking or drowning. The beauty of it is that this action is totally involuntary on our part. We don't have to think, "Ok, now I need to close off my trachea," each time we swallow, it just happens!

Wouldn't if have been great if God had created us with a cranial epiglottis? An organ that effectively shuts off communication between the brain and mouth whenever an insensitive, sinful, or stupid comment is about to escape between our lips. Instead of opening my mouth and doing some permanent verbal damage, my cranial epiglottis would spring into action and shut down the brain wave carrying the message to my mouth.

For a brief moment I lamented the fact that this wonder organ does not exist in reality, but then I realized that, as a believer in Jesus Christ, I do possess a cranial epiglottis of sorts…it's called the Holy Spirit.

God's Word promises that all those who trust in Jesus Christ receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:14)

His Word commands us to walk by the Spirit. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)

His Word commands us to watch the type of speech that comes out of our mouths. "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:4)

May our prayer be the same as that of King David…
"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3)

(There's nothing like a Biblical prayer for a Holy Spirit guided cranial epiglottis!)

May we all pray for the power to walk (and talk) in the power of the Spirit today.