James 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

“Consider how much more you suffer from your anger and grief than those very things for which you are angry and grieved.”  Antonius

My dad always used to say, “Think twice before you say anything!”  As a young person there were times that saying drove me crazy but now as an adult I look back and realize what great advice that was.  If we all took the time to stop before we allowed words to come out of our mouths on a daily basis and really thought twice before we spoke I wonder how much would go unsaid.  If fewer words were spoken in anger and less “off the cuff” advice was given and there was less gossip spreading through our circles, how much pain would it save others as well as us?

It is amazing how many verses there are through out the Bible that speak of having control of our tongues and that hasty words spoken quite often are foolishness.  This is quite obviously something God knows we struggle with and also knows how important it is for us to learn to control our words.

I have always been a talker and I believe that is why my Dad made sure to emphasize that I needed to be careful with my words.  There are days I could talk the hind leg off a mule so if I am not careful there is a very good possibility I could say way more than needs to be said.  I have prayed over and over throughout my life that God will guide my heart to know when to bite my tongue.  As long as I give that area to Him on a continual basis it works for His glory but I know I cannot have an unbridled tongue as a woman of many words.

Anger seems to bring out the worst words at times and that is the time we need to be the most guarded.  Too many words spoken in anger have destroyed relationships and people.  As Thumper’s parents told him, “If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.”  You cannot take your words back so it is vital to think of that before you speak them.

If we can make a point of making sure that the words that come out of our mouth are always spoken in a way that will glorify God we are sure to not hurt, anger or offend unnecessarily.  It doesn’t mean we will never upset others, Jesus upset the Pharisees all the time, but the words will be spoken in a way that allows God to use them instead of cover them.

Quote:

“It’s not your position in life; it’s the disposition you have which will change your position.”  Dr. David McKinley