Have you ever said something and right away knew it was the wrong thing to say? Or what about you said something, but the person who heard it took it the opposite way of what you meant for them to? I think we have all had that happen from time to time. I like the quote, “a closed mouth gathers no foot.” Or another favorite of mine is, “it is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” The book of James talks about our words a decent amount in five chapters. In chapter three, James compares our tongues (which represent our words) to fire. This is an interesting analogy, especially for me because I have seen first hand the destructiveness of fire. Growing up our house caught fire one night. It amazed me at how much damage was done to our house. The damage wasn’t limited to the downstairs where the fire started, it burned the upstairs as well. James says in 3:5, “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth.” It just takes a spark and a raging wildfire can begin. And so it is with our words. Sometimes we react in the heat of the moment, or in a moment of anger and say something that normally we wouldn’t say. That leads to hurting someone or even damaging a relationship beyond repair. We can quote the old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, we know that isn’t true. What is true is this, you can’t unring a bell.” Once your words are out, there is no taking them back. Maybe that is why in James we are told to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). We need to think before we speak. Remember God gave us two ears and one mouth, which tells me that we should do twice as much listening as we do talking. A great way that I can make sure I won’t have to apologize nearly as much for what I say is applying the wisdom of Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” I need to build up others by what I say and I need to be graceful to them when they hurt me. Just like is carpentry, measure twice, cut once. Think before you speak, and make sure you have something useful to say.
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him