Watch what you say (1)

How much easier would life be if we could pause, rewind and take back all the stupid, thoughtless stuff we've said. Are we imagining that beautiful world? It's pretty great, right? Sadly, that's not the world we live in, and once those words are out they are... out!

We sing, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.' More like: 'Sticks and stones may break my bones (which will heal fairly quickly) but words can do near irreparable damage that can take many hours/years of pain and processing to heal.' It's not difficult to see how our words can be hurtful; it's harder however to stop saying hurtful things back and to forgive people when they've said stupid stuff to us.

Everyone messes up their words. What are we most likely to do: gossip, criticise, boast, quote the Bible a bit too much in a bit too holier-than-thou way? It's worth figuring out which one we're most prone to and work out how to do it less. We cannot shrug off destructive words as 'no big deal': 'If you can control your tongue, you are mature' (James 3:2 CEV). Let's think about what we say and how we say it, because our words matter.



So what now? Think back to the last time you said something carelessly and hurt someone (I'm sure you won't have to think too hard). If you haven't already, ask God for forgiveness, march yourself back to that person and apologise.





— SCRIPTURE —

'If you can control your tongue, you are mature.' James 3:2 CEV
— SOULFOOD —

Jer 22-24, Luke 22:1-38, Ps 6, Pro 8:34-36