“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise
brings healing”
– Proverbs 12:18
– Proverbs 12:18
As the words echoed through the quietness it immediately
becomes apparent that once again my tongue has outpaced the ability for my
brain to stop the syllables. Many of you recall as children we were
told sticks and stones may break bones, but words will never hurt
you. Words can be hurtful whether intentional or not, and cannot be
taken back. Do you also recall the story of the tube of
toothpaste? I remember this from a youth camp activity in my teen
years. The counselor came into the room one night while many of us
horsing around. One young man let a few discretionary words escape
his lips and the room went quiet. All eyes turned to the counselor
to see his reaction. The counselor asked the young man to go to his
overnight bag and get a tube of toothpaste. He then proceeded to
squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube onto a plate until all of it was sitting
in a pile. He handed the tube to the young man and with just a few
words made a very strong point, “Please put the toothpaste back in the tube for
me?” With that the counselor left the room and we all had learned a
valuable lesson about choosing the words we say.
We are reminded throughout the scriptures to watch our tongue and words that come from our lips. Paul, Peter and James write frequently of the evil and deceit that comes from the lips of man. It is critically important to keep alert and aware of the words that we speak, knowing that we cannot take them back and that they will have a definite impact on those within hearing distance. We all fail at times inadvertently say something that hurts the feelings of those around us. If we are not quick to retract those words, consider the long term damage they may cause to your relationship. Anger often gets the best of us and we say things that we truly never meant, but if we’re not big enough and humble enough to take them back and apologize, it is almost as if we are telling the other person we truly meant what we said. Friendships and relationships can forever be changed by a word or combination of words said in a solitary moment. It doesn’t have to be so.
Because the flesh is weak, we are all susceptible to unrighteousness in many ways while we are still walking upon this earth. It is impossible to live your entire life without a slip of the tongue. Knowing this, we are all to be held accountable to make amends where we have inflicted pain, suffering and sorrow from our lips. In addition, we should be quick to seek the forgiveness of the Father for our weakness and carelessness.
They cannot un-hear once the words have left the tongue but there is healing in the apology, repentance and actions to love others as Jesus loved you. This should be our goal in these situations.
We are reminded throughout the scriptures to watch our tongue and words that come from our lips. Paul, Peter and James write frequently of the evil and deceit that comes from the lips of man. It is critically important to keep alert and aware of the words that we speak, knowing that we cannot take them back and that they will have a definite impact on those within hearing distance. We all fail at times inadvertently say something that hurts the feelings of those around us. If we are not quick to retract those words, consider the long term damage they may cause to your relationship. Anger often gets the best of us and we say things that we truly never meant, but if we’re not big enough and humble enough to take them back and apologize, it is almost as if we are telling the other person we truly meant what we said. Friendships and relationships can forever be changed by a word or combination of words said in a solitary moment. It doesn’t have to be so.
Because the flesh is weak, we are all susceptible to unrighteousness in many ways while we are still walking upon this earth. It is impossible to live your entire life without a slip of the tongue. Knowing this, we are all to be held accountable to make amends where we have inflicted pain, suffering and sorrow from our lips. In addition, we should be quick to seek the forgiveness of the Father for our weakness and carelessness.
They cannot un-hear once the words have left the tongue but there is healing in the apology, repentance and actions to love others as Jesus loved you. This should be our goal in these situations.
Be Blessed,
Rich
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