Words. Interesting creatures they are. Words can be used to comfort, to show affection, to express sadness, but more often than we care to think, words can be used to hurt! Words can cut you like a knife. I think it's harder to heal from verbal wounds than it is to heal from physical wounds. Words leave deep, long lasting scars!
Over the years, this is an area of my life that I've had to bring to God over and over (and over and over) again! It's an area in my life that He has been really working in though. You see, I suffer from two serious diseases for which there is no cure: foot-in-mouth disease (open mouth, insert foot!) and disengaged brain syndrome (speak first, think later!). We all know people that suffer from these diseases ... think about it, it's probably the entire human race!
In my Bible margin, right beside the verses in James 3:5-10 (the verses on the tongue), I have this quote, "Many things are opened by mistake, but none so often as the mouth!" It's a gentle reminder that I would ask the Lord to set a hedge about my mouth, that the words that come out would be sweet.
God knows my shortcomings. He knows we all suffer from the aforementioned 'diseases' ... why else would the Scriptures be full of verses about our words?
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" James 1:19 How often do we reverse those commands? How often are we slow to hear, but swift to speak and swift to be angry? I admit, I'm very quick to spew words out and lash out in anger! It's not a very attractive quality. I would much rather listen intently and speak carefully! Oh to be as David in the Psalms, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14
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