Slow To Speak

“... everyone must be ... slow to speak” (James 1:19 HCSB)

At some point, we have all been guilty of talking too much, and we wish that we could take back some things: things we have said out of hurt to a loved one; criticizing words spoken to a co-worker; unflattering words to our children; judgmental comments to a fellow driver in traffic; sarcastic words underhandedly offered in jest to make a point we did not have the courage to make outrightly; jokes made at the expense of others while we were the only ones laughing; and yes even ungodly words we thought no one heard, but sadly the ears of God were privy to our conversation.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue"(Prov.18:21), and once the words we speak are released they are on assignment to give life or death to the receiver. Our words can either influence the listener to hope and possibility or they can cause division, discord and destruction.

When The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 he inspired a people to dream and to expect that the American culture could accommodate people of various ethnicities living together in racial harmony. "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." His words gave life and they bore fruit of a hopeful expectation. They inspired the people to believe and to want something better for themselves, their children and their nation.

Adolfo Hitler, on the other hand led a nation into intense hatred and disregard for others with his words. He once said "hate is more lasting than dislike". His propaganda stirred up a people to be disrespectable and murderous. Rather than being slow to speak, he was quick to rehearse and recite the ugliness of his heart.

Words that quickly rush out of our mouths are from the altars and residue of our hearts. Eugene Peterson, the writer of the message bible, says "it's your heart, not the dictionary that gives meaning to your words" (See Matt 12:34). Could a heart at peace and confidence create and produce more thoughtful and careful words? I would think so, and hopefully we want more careful words because whereas "careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything"(Prov.13:3 MSG).

Everything we know and think should not be shared with everyone; and there are some things that should never be spoken into the atmosphere. We must think before we speak and we must calculate the potential damage and hurt our words could do to a person or a situation. We should not be leaving a trail of victims who have been harmed, hammered or hurt by our words. We are children of God and we have God's DNA, and if God uses words carefully so should we. "Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief" (Prov. 21:23 MSG).

Fight hard to govern your thoughts and be prayerful about how and when you share and release that which you are thinking. Let your words mean something. Let your words challenge someone to be better. Let your words correct wrongs. Let your words express love. Be quick to hear and slow to speak.

Prayer: Lord, I am your creation and I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psa. 139). Everything you made is beautiful and glorious, and I am not entitled to damage anything or anyone with my words. Use me to give life and hope with my words and not death and despair (Prov. 18:21). Help me to be careful and thoughtful with my words such that I will think before I speak; and I, in turn, will be quick to listen and slow to speak, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

God's Peace and Good Journey!
 +t. anthony bronner