Think before you speak...

Over the past few days I have been taking things a little easier, resting and whilst resting, pondering. It has called on my attention how many people open their mouths before thinking about what they say, how they say it and what kind of reaction their words will provoke.

I was in a shop just yesterday and a man walked in and found a friend. He spoke to this apparent friend in a rough manner, very loudly and with a particularly high percentage of uncouth and disagreeable words. Others in the shop began looking around, raising their eyebrows in rather a shocked manner.

At the other end of the scale , I remember my Mother would often come home with tales of how complete strangers would open their hearts to her, maybe because they'd sat on the bus together or she'd helped them cross the road.  What did she have that was different?

She always had a ready smile and a pleasant word for everyone.

This set me thinking. What about me? What do people think about the way I talk? Do they see me coming and turn quickly down another aisle?

And what about you?

Let's see what the Bible, God's word, has to say on the matter:

Nobody is perfect and "God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self control" (2 Timothy 1:7) so that we can recognize our faults and strive to improve and be a better person for Him and for the encouragement of others.

Here is a mental checklist we could go through every time we wish to speak. It seems long winded and hard going but it becomes easier through prayer and perseverance. In fact, it becomes a way of life.

# Is what you are about to say necessary, worthwhile? (Ephesians 4:29)

# Is what you are about to say kind and encouraging? (Proverbs 15:4)

# Are you about to gossip or criticize? (Proverbs 20:19 and 21:23)

# Is what you are about to say positive and helpful? (Proverbs 16:24)

# Are you speaking with love for the other person/people? (Ephesians 4:32)

# Are you about to praise yourself or speak well of others? (Proverbs 27:2)

# Will your words be understood by the other person in the way in which you would want? (Proverbs 29:20)

# Do you speak loudly whilst looking around to see who else will hear what you say? (Proverbs 13:3)

# Are you speaking spontaneously perhaps through anger or frustration? (Proverbs 17:27)

# Will your words be negative because you know that a person doesn't like you or agree with what you say? (Romans 12:14)

# Are you setting an example for your children, showing them what to say at a certain moment or in a given circumstance? (Proverbs 22:6)

Finally...

"Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."(Titus 3:2)