Can you believe she wore that?
I heard...about her.
A friend of a friend of a friend told me...
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I really don't like this person because...
"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" Psalm 141:3
Has something ever slipped out of your mouth without passing through the logic in your brain first? I can't tell you how many times I've wished I could hit rewind and delete on words that have flowed out of my mouth. Careless words that weigh down the hearer and the one from whose mouth they flowed.
Words that may not have even been said directly to someone, but about someone. Gossip. Words that may have been pointed directly at the person to prove a point. To puff out my own chest, to stack pride upon pride.
I know I have said things and later regretted the very thought that would have triggered the words. I have been praying each day Psalm 141:3 (above) and Psalm 119:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
It's my prayer that my words bring people closer to Jesus, not drive a wedge between me and them, or more importantly, between them and Jesus. There is an old saying that my dietitian had hanging in her dining room: Before you speak: T.H.I.N.K.
T ~ Is it True?
H ~ Is it Helpful?
I ~ Is it Inspiring?
N ~ Is it Necessary?
K ~ Is it Kind?
If it doesn't fall under these categories, then does it really need to be said or spread? Probably not. There are probably very few exceptions where it would be pleasing to God, and respectful or honoring others to talk about them or talk to them in a way that would shed a negative light on them.
Friend, let me encourage you to speak life where dead words want to flow. Infuse wisdom where ever you can, and let God's word fill you up for that wisdom to flow. It's not always easy to say kind things when you've been hurt, but kind words heal.
It's not always necessary to get the last word in. Maybe God wants us to be quiet for a turn. It's not always easy to inspire someone who has drained the very hope out of you that they need. Find hope in Him and keep on inspiring. Sometimes speaking the truth is not helpful, so use wisdom when needing to tell someone the truth about someone else.
Sometimes, a kind word will bring healing to a situation where it seemed impossible. Words of life, love and wisdom bring people closer to Jesus. They draw people to Him. They will also uplift and bring life to you as you speak them.
It's funny that I have to learn this lesson over and over. I am forever reminded each time I tell my children to be kind with their words. I pray that I am setting a good example for them to know that they can trust me with their secrets, and that they can see through the life I live that speaking positive of others is the best policy.
Father, we've all been guilty of repeating something or saying something that didn't honor you. We repent for those times where we've not been wise with words. I ask that you would set a guard over our mouth and keep watch over the door of our lips. Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord. I thank you, God, for giving us wise words, words of life to speak into any situation, even the one's that seem impossible in our eyes. Give us wisdom in all circumstances and fill our mouths with praise at all times. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Words that may not have even been said directly to someone, but about someone. Gossip. Words that may have been pointed directly at the person to prove a point. To puff out my own chest, to stack pride upon pride.
I know I have said things and later regretted the very thought that would have triggered the words. I have been praying each day Psalm 141:3 (above) and Psalm 119:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
It's my prayer that my words bring people closer to Jesus, not drive a wedge between me and them, or more importantly, between them and Jesus. There is an old saying that my dietitian had hanging in her dining room: Before you speak: T.H.I.N.K.
T ~ Is it True?
H ~ Is it Helpful?
I ~ Is it Inspiring?
N ~ Is it Necessary?
K ~ Is it Kind?
If it doesn't fall under these categories, then does it really need to be said or spread? Probably not. There are probably very few exceptions where it would be pleasing to God, and respectful or honoring others to talk about them or talk to them in a way that would shed a negative light on them.
Friend, let me encourage you to speak life where dead words want to flow. Infuse wisdom where ever you can, and let God's word fill you up for that wisdom to flow. It's not always easy to say kind things when you've been hurt, but kind words heal.
It's not always necessary to get the last word in. Maybe God wants us to be quiet for a turn. It's not always easy to inspire someone who has drained the very hope out of you that they need. Find hope in Him and keep on inspiring. Sometimes speaking the truth is not helpful, so use wisdom when needing to tell someone the truth about someone else.
Sometimes, a kind word will bring healing to a situation where it seemed impossible. Words of life, love and wisdom bring people closer to Jesus. They draw people to Him. They will also uplift and bring life to you as you speak them.
It's funny that I have to learn this lesson over and over. I am forever reminded each time I tell my children to be kind with their words. I pray that I am setting a good example for them to know that they can trust me with their secrets, and that they can see through the life I live that speaking positive of others is the best policy.
Father, we've all been guilty of repeating something or saying something that didn't honor you. We repent for those times where we've not been wise with words. I ask that you would set a guard over our mouth and keep watch over the door of our lips. Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord. I thank you, God, for giving us wise words, words of life to speak into any situation, even the one's that seem impossible in our eyes. Give us wisdom in all circumstances and fill our mouths with praise at all times. In Jesus Name, Amen.
