Proverbs 13:3 NLT
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Have you ever regretted something that you said to someone?
Or have you ever had to walk back comments that came out in the heat of an argument?
James 1:19 NLT
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
For some reason, we are in a time when it is just thought of being brave and courageous just to let your opinions fly; we tell it like it is.
Sometimes, we have to say it for the other person’s good; they need to know what they are doing is wrong. While in fact, what we are doing when we do this is wrong.
I’m writing this in a time when we are experiencing massive civil unrest due to the murder of George Floyd, and we have a lot of people expressing their opinions based on high emotion.
And when the emotions are high, it is vitally essential that level heads prevail, or there will be real trouble.
For the Christian, we are to fight the urge to communicate like this with every fiber of our being.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
In my study of this subject, I came across this acronym: THINK before you speak:
T – Is what you are saying truthful? Are the words coming out of your mouth the truth?
H – Is it helpful? Will the words truly make the situation better?
I – Are the words inspiring? Will they create inspiration in the hearts of those who hear them?
N – Is it needful? Are the words necessary?
K – Is it kind? Do the words buildup, or do they tear down?
When you measure your words against this acronym, you don’t say it if all of the points are not met.
Heavenly Father, Let the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be pleasing to You.
I pray, Lord, that You use me as a messenger of peace, especially in a time of extreme division.
I pray for Your intervention in these times of civil unrest and pray that Your peace prevails.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
