Thought for Wednesday, January 25th

January 25, 2012

‘Speak No Evil’

  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whSpeole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

James 3:2-13

Quote of the Day

“A man cannot utter two or three sentences without disclosing to intelligent ears precisely where he stands in life and thought.”

-          Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

“The tongue is not steal, yet it cuts.” – George Herbert

Do you ever wonder why some people say the things they do?

Do you think people ever wonder why you say some of the things you do?

Words are so easy to speak and you would think since they are just vibrations of sound traveling through air that there would be little long lasting effect they could have on those who hear them: yet this is not true.

Sometimes it is words that hurt the deepest: and sadly it is often a misunderstanding of the intention or implications of those words that produce even greater hurt and harm.

If we could listen to everything we say in one day: I imagine some of us would be shocked to hear what comes out of our own mouths at times. 

As children we were admonished to ‘think before we speak’ but as adults how often do we actually do that?

Someone once said, “A closed mouth gathers no feet.”  While someone else said, “The best way to save face is to keep the lower part shut.”

Since communication is so vital to our world and our lives: keeping quite isn’t always easy, practical or even possible – but we do need to be more mindful of those things that we do say.

Our words should be wrapped in love, seasoned with thought and purposed to do good, help improve and make better the lives and relationships of those to whom we speak.

There are times when tough words are required but remember if they are spoken gently with love; rather than harshly with antagonism or anger: they will accomplish greater achievements.

As another unknown person put it; “Be sure your brain is in gear before engaging your mouth.”  And I might add to that, make sure your heart is consulted before you release the flood gates of your verbiage:  for if your heart is on the things of God, which as Christians it should be, then your words will be tempered by the Spirit of God within you and you will speak accordingly.

Today’s Prayer

Father, You are great, mighty and wonderful beyond description:  May my words be ordered by your Spirit as well as my steps and may I speak with words that accomplish those things that will bring glory to you.

“Take care of the sense, and the sounds will take care of themselves.”

-          Lewis Carroll

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns