I tell my children to be slow to speak, but yesterday I didn't exercise that myself. Honestly, my intentions were great. But because I didn't properly organize my thoughts, what I intended to say to someone and what it actually appeared like when I wrote it were NOT at all the same message. So much so that I had to go back and publicly apologize and delete my posts.
I hate that a misuse of my words has now caused me to seem like the type of Christian I was actually ranting about and now I see messages being delivered that I know are wrong, but because they are being delivered in a more pleasant manner and after what could have easily been perceived as an attack on my part, the wrong message will likely plant a more fruitful seed than the one I was intending to plant.
Starting Your Day Right: Be Slow to Speak
by Joyce Meyer
by Joyce Meyer
For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good-whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). 1 Peter 3:10
Have you ever regretted something you said as soon as the words were out of your mouth? You can't take back the words you speak to others-and words can damage relationships. The Bible says that if you can control your mouth, you can control your whole body (see James 3:2).
Before you respond to people too quickly, stop and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say about your situation. James taught, "Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry" (James 1:19). Commit your mouth to God's service today, and use words that speak healing to others.
Kat's Notes: I just feel I need to spend time today reflecting on what is it God wants me to say and figuring out how and when to appropriately say it. I don't dink up in this area often, but when I do I apparently go full-throttle. lol My father has a philosophy of "keeping your mouth shut means rarely having to apologize."
Although I do feel there are times to speak up and it does need to be understood that some people are going to be offended no matter what you say or how gently you say it, but our job is to do as much preemptive damage control as possible, by praying about the words we share with others. I would much rather have earnestly prayed to God about what I NEEDED to say than to now have to earnestly apologize to God and others about what I already said. Slow to speak....Got it!
P.S. Don't worry, I'm working on the fact that I spent so much time being offended yesterday as well. :P
Have you ever regretted something you said as soon as the words were out of your mouth? You can't take back the words you speak to others-and words can damage relationships. The Bible says that if you can control your mouth, you can control your whole body (see James 3:2).
Before you respond to people too quickly, stop and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say about your situation. James taught, "Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry" (James 1:19). Commit your mouth to God's service today, and use words that speak healing to others.
Kat's Notes: I just feel I need to spend time today reflecting on what is it God wants me to say and figuring out how and when to appropriately say it. I don't dink up in this area often, but when I do I apparently go full-throttle. lol My father has a philosophy of "keeping your mouth shut means rarely having to apologize."
Although I do feel there are times to speak up and it does need to be understood that some people are going to be offended no matter what you say or how gently you say it, but our job is to do as much preemptive damage control as possible, by praying about the words we share with others. I would much rather have earnestly prayed to God about what I NEEDED to say than to now have to earnestly apologize to God and others about what I already said. Slow to speak....Got it!
P.S. Don't worry, I'm working on the fact that I spent so much time being offended yesterday as well. :P
No comments:
Post a Comment