The words just came out

I have a folder containing articles I researched for posting back in June 2022 but, for one reason or another, decided not to publish at that time. As I was recently going through that folder, one article about our speech stood out to me. With all the foul, inconsiderate, and false words being spread on social media today—even by some who profess to be Christians—perhaps now is “a time such as this” (Esther 4:14) to share it.

The words just came out!

Have you ever said something, and as soon as the words came out of your mouth, you knew you had made a mistake? I have on more occasions than I remember. I don’t know about you, but I think I do it because the old, sinful person inside me tries to come out as often as it can.  I also say things I regret, and other times I respond too quickly (overreact) to a situation without thinking about it and the consequences that will follow.

Consider this:

James 1: 19, Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Matthew 12:37, For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 29:11, A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 17:28, Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

James 3:6, And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

James 3:10, From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Within the friendships men have with one another, we seem to like to tease, put down, harass, and pick on each other. That may be well and good in a secular society, but I have begun to wonder what Jesus would think of those actions. What about the other patrons in the restaurant when we, Christian men, are putting each other down and they hear our put-downs?  Do they still think we are Christians? Are we a good example to others? Would Jesus agree with what they think?  

I, for one, am going to try and do a better job of taming my tongue (James 3:8) by being more conscious of what I say and how I say it, and because I want to be obedient to God.

I will use the following Scriptures to help me stay on track and be obedient;

James 3:13, If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Colossians 3:8, But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Matthew 5:11, What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.    

And I definitely must rememberGalatians 5:22-23,But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Blessings, Dennis