Proverbs 21:23, “He who watches over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”
As children, we’re taught to recite: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” — but nothing could be farther from the truth. Words sting when nasty negatives come hurling out of our mouths. That’s why paying close attention to what we say and how we say it isn’t just good therapy for ourselves, but for others as well – especially our spouses! Poorly chosen phrases can cause a ripple effect that leads down a problematic path.
God wants us all to live in harmony, but dissonance can rear its ugly head in a matter of seconds when we spew a careless word. That’s why we need to take great caution to guard our mouths and avoid instigating a critical communication crisis. Therefore, the Bible reminds us to be “slow to speak,” which means we should watch what we say before saying it.
With carefully guarded words, not only will others be shielded from trouble, we will too. Once again, God’s Word saves the day by saving us from potential problems with great speech therapy.
Start today by taking a quick timeout before talking. Briefly think through what you say and how you will say it as you connect with people throughout the day. Remember that your words have a big impact. So, before you speak, try adding discernment to your delivery.
God, I want to communicate with others in a way that’s both pleasing to You and encouraging to them. Give me words that make a difference in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.