Watching What We Say.

Dodger:  Hi there!  Sorry we haven't been in for a while.  I hope it's been well with you.  Lilly and I have been doing some interesting stuff recently.

Lilly:  Indeed we have!  I went horseback riding recently.  I learned something while I was there.  Horses are big and strong, but they're easy to move around.  All you have to do is move the bit and bridle, and the horse does what you tell it to.  We were thinking that horses are a lot easier to control than the words that we say.

Dodger:  I'll explain.  Has anyone ever said something that hurt your feelings, or have you hurt someone else with what you say?  I know I have.

Lilly:  Me too.  The trouble is that half of the mean things I say are almost accidents.  I say something without thinking, and that's where the bad stuff happens.

Dodger:  I think everyone who can talk has that problem.  The Bible actually explains our trouble in the Book of James 3:7-9.  It says: "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness."  Of course the poison isn't literally poison.  It's the words we say.

Lilly:   Have you heard the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?"  Well that's baloney.  The truth is, words do more damage than we can imagine.  I remember some insults from  even years ago, and even though I forgave those people who hurt me, I still remember those words.

Dodger:  It's hard to keep our words in check, but it's absolutely necessary that we do.  But how do we go about it if the Bible says we can't?

Lilly:  Well, actually Dodger, the Bible says that man cannot tame the tongue.  But God can.  The best way to watch your words is to ask God to help you to. Ephesians 4:31 says "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."  Prayer is the answer.

Dodger:  Romans 12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  Christians are able to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit, as 1 John 4:4 says, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  This simply means that even though people cannot control all the words that come out of our mouth, yet we can overcome evil and the tendency to speak evil things through the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

Lilly:  If you have to work on controlling your words, you don't have to do it alone.  All you have to do is ask God to forgive you for the times you have hurt people with your words, and ask Him to help you glorify Him with all the things that come out of your mouth.  Then make a conscious effort to say the right thing.

Dodger:  Think before you speak.  James 1:19-20 puts it well. "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." When you're angry, that's probably the best time to not say anything at all.

Lilly:  Here's to keeping our words in check.

Dodger:  I actually have an idea.  It's kind of a step-by-step thing.

1. Before you say something, ask yourself if it's something you would want said to you, or if you think Jesus would say it.  If not, don't say it.

2.  Ask God to help you say the right thing if you need to say something at all.

3.  Keep doing this.

Pretty simple stuff.  If we learn to tame our tongues, I think everyone around us will be a lot happier.

Lilly:  And so will we.

Dodger:  Exactly.  It looks like we're out of time though.

Lilly:  Thanks for being with us today.  Hope you had a good time!

Dodger:  See you later!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!!!


All scripture came from the NIV 1984