Watch What You Say

Written on 06/29/2021
Christian Dunn

Verse: Proverbs 13:3

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

Thoughts
This is what I love about Proverbs. It just spells it out for us so simply. 

Have you ever said something you regretted either right away or later? This happens to me all the time. A joke that I thought was going to be funny, but comes out sideways and sounds mean. Or when I get into an argument and I say something trying to win the argument, but not thinking about loving the person. 

Our words have so much power. This goes for written words too. Have you ever been the victim of online bullying? Has anyone ever left a comment that just stung so badly it stayed with you for days?

On the other hand, words can be so helpful! Has anyone ever encouraged you and just made your day? 

Words can be used for immense good or for terrible pain. This is why the writer of this Proverb tells us to guard our lips.  Think about that. Guarding implies thinking about what we say. Taking a second to speak. Being careful. Speaking on purpose, not just because we have something to say.

Today, think about what you say before you say it. Try this for a day and see what happens!

Prayer
Help me to guard my words God! I know words can be so powerful, help me to use them to help others, not to tear them down.