Watch Your Words

At one time or another we have all said things we later regretted

No one is immune to the foot-in-mouth disease. James wrote: “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check” (James 3:2 NIV). The tongue is a dangerous thing when unbridled.

Paul warned against the misuse of the tongue

He wrote: “…rid yourselves of all such things…slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other” (Colossians 3:8-9 NIV). Christians should not slander others, should not use profanities or vulgarities, and should not lie. In a positive way, what we say should be kind, pure and true! Every word we speak should be examined to make sure it passes this threefold test. Is it kind? Is it pure? Is it true?

Say the right things in the right way

It is not only important that we say the right things, but that we say them in the right way. “A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). When someone shouts at us, “I’m not angry!” we can be confident they are! That is why James also wrote: “every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath” (James 1:19). What we say says a great deal about us. Our words reveal our character or lack of it! It is extremely important that we watch our words. The psalmist prayed: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). We would be wise to repeat that prayer frequently!