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| Tell Me A Story - 21 (Photo credit: Inf-Lite Teacher) |
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:12-14
New International Version (NIV)
Words are powerful. They can also be self-condemning. If we tame our tongues we are less apt to regret the things we say. What we say can haunt us and sometimes get us in trouble. Our words can follow us for years as they rest in the hearts and minds of those who have been in earshot of our verbal wickedness. We need to watch our mouths because we may not realize where our words may end up.
Sure, gossip can seem somewhat interesting and certainly juicy. The big problem is in the truth or falseness that is spoken. We must discern between what might be considered news or concern for another and the cutting vicious words that are intended to hurt and defame. Consider before speaking: Does my saying this have a purpose that is intended for good?
Before we start spreading dirt perhaps it's time to first do some internal housecleaning of what's inside us. No one is perfect and we all have sin within us. Shall we let that sinful nature control what we say? Better to keep quiet or be slow to speak than to unleash our evil side.
Our words say more about who we are than who someone else is. Watch what you say. Be a peacemaker rather than an instigator of rumor and hurtfulness.
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Matthew 15:18
English Standard Version (ESV)
Words out of control cause all sorts of trouble. Good post, Lee, and an important one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo true and a worthy project -- to watch what we say. I tell myself and others this, "You don't have to say everything you think." It works for me.
ReplyDelete