T-H-I-N-K

It seems these days that we are inundated with reports, opinions, and gossip for any number of situations and conflicts.  Sometimes the facts are checked out before one comments while other times people speak out supporting the group they are affiliated with, the people they want to impress, or in retaliation.  Words can devastate, harm, discourage and destroy, but they can also be expressed in ways that are helpful, life giving, encouraging, and beneficial. 

It’s been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.  Before speaking it might be worthwhile to consider if something is…

True

Helpful

Inspiring

Necessary

Kind

If the answer is yes, speak out.  If not, it might be wise to pray, wait, listen, and check the facts before offering advice or an opinion.  And may the words we choose to speak or write always be delivered in love.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1:19-20

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

James 3:9-10

Anxiety weighs down the heart,

     But a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.

Psalm 37:30

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fools gushes folly.

Proverbs 15:2

Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

Ecclesiastes 10:12