Speak... Or Better Yet, Don't
[Well, I deleted my facebook account around 11pm on Sunday. I've had three full days without it, and I feel great! I've also given myself a rule of no Instagram until after the kids are in bed. I honestly don't miss it much, if at all. I've been making a conscious effort to text and vox my friends everyday, and I will continue to do so. I'm trying to focus on my children more and have more fun with them too. Now that I'm not constantly concerned with what people are posting, commenting. or liking, I actually feel present. Okay, on to my regular scheduled blog.]
Here are a few lessons I'm learning about speaking from the Bible.
1. I need to know when to speak and when to stay silent. In most cases, it is better to stay quiet than to say something foolish or unkind. I need to think carefully before I say anything. Far too often I spout off at the mouth without thinking, usually when I'm offended or angry.
Proverbs 15:28 - The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool gives vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds back.
James 1:19 - Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger...
2. When I speak, I need be careful that my words are gentle and edifying. The most valuable place I can put this lesson to practice is with my children. So often I get frustrated and end up either saying something mean or in a harsh tone.
Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as it fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Philippians 4:8 - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person.
3. I need to remember that the manner in which I speak is a reflection of my heart.
Matthew 15:18 - "What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person."
Luke 6:43-45 - "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit...The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
James 3:7-10 - But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. Fro the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
***
One thing I've been thinking a lot about lately is what I say. The Bible talks frequently about how we speak, so I do think it's really important. It's easy to forget that our words matter.Here are a few lessons I'm learning about speaking from the Bible.
1. I need to know when to speak and when to stay silent. In most cases, it is better to stay quiet than to say something foolish or unkind. I need to think carefully before I say anything. Far too often I spout off at the mouth without thinking, usually when I'm offended or angry.
Proverbs 15:28 - The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool gives vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds back.
James 1:19 - Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger...
2. When I speak, I need be careful that my words are gentle and edifying. The most valuable place I can put this lesson to practice is with my children. So often I get frustrated and end up either saying something mean or in a harsh tone.
Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as it fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Philippians 4:8 - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person.
3. I need to remember that the manner in which I speak is a reflection of my heart.
Matthew 15:18 - "What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person."
Luke 6:43-45 - "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit...The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
James 3:7-10 - But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. Fro the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
***
Holy Spirit, You are the only one who can help me tame my tongue. Help me to stay silent unless it is absolutely necessary to speak. And when I do speak, help me to only say what is loving, beneficial, gracious and edifying. But most importantly, I want my heart to be a good tree that produces good fruit. This will only happen if I live according to the Spirit and not to the flesh. Amen.
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