The psalmist prayed, "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).
That's probably not a bad prayer for any of us. Who among us has not had a momentary lapse in which we have said something we wished we had never said? It is painful to utter words you regret and then realize you cannot retrieve them. The poet wrote:
"Boys flying kites pull in their white winged birds,
But this you cannot do when you are flying words.
Thoughts unexpressed may fall back dead,
But God Himself cannot kill them once they are said."
It is better to show precaution and to exercise prudence before we speak. I think that is why James advised his readers, "Be slow to speak" (James 1:19). I think this is also why the psalmist prayed in advance, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).
If you need no other reason to practice this preemptive measure, let me remind you of your inevitable influence. We all touch someone's life (for better or worse). If you do not learn to hold your tongue you will adversely affect any positive influence you would have otherwise. That is true for all of us.
A minister was making some repairs on his home when he noticed the neighbor's little boy was paying very close attention to the job. The pastor asked, "Billy, are you trying to pick up some pointers on carpentry?" The little boy replied, "No sir, I'm just waiting to see what a preacher says when he smashes his thumb with a hammer!"
You see-we all have someone who is watching. Make your positive influence count. Watch your words!
Blessings Today,
Pastor Ron |