Scripture – “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
Proverbs 17:27-28 NIV
Observation – Throughout scripture God reminds us how important it is to use words with restraint. We know why he says this because all of us have been blessed immensely when someone uses their words to build us up and we have all been devastated, and many people traumatized for life, because of the words spoken by others. God is very concerned about the words we speak because he says that good words and wise words come from a pure heart and hurtful or evil words come from an evil heart, “for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”.
Application – Using words with restraint or keeping silent in certain situations it is an indication that we are aware of the impact words have on others. As scripture says, the tongue holds the power of life and death. This wisdom and self awareness provides a continual understanding that our hearts and minds are behind the words we speak. This awareness motivates us to spend time with Jesus and ask him to give us a pure heart and a deep love for him, ourselves and others. If our hearts and minds are right the words that come out of our mouths will build others up. The first step is to be aware enough of the impact of our words so that we choose to be silent sometimes.
Prayer – Dear Jesus, I pray that you help all of us to use our words with restraint so that we can begin to have our hearts and minds healed by you. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 