Psalms 34:13 says, "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile". You don't know the number of times I have had to ask for forgiveness for not being obedient to this command. When I was younger, my tongue was one of my biggest issues. If I thought something, I said it and to be honest, most of the time I had no remorse for what I said.
My grandparents always reminded us, our mouths could get us into more trouble than we may ever be able to get out of. Even with this constant reminder, it did not matter to me. All I wanted to do was make people feel what I was feeling. I was hurt and I wanted those around me to hurt too. It wasn't until I matured that I began to understand the reason behind my behavior. As we have all heard, hurt people hurt people and I can attest to this.
The unfortunate thing about our words is once they are said, they can't be taken back. As children we would often say, "sticks and stones may hurt my bones but words will never hurt me." This statement is one of the biggest misconceptions I have ever heard. Words can be detrimental as they can build up or they can tear down.
It's funny now how I reflect on situations in my life and understand better what my parents and grandparents meant. As you may recall, I have had some very interesting encounters; and as I write this post today, I am reminded of one in particular. I was seriously struggling with an issue when I reached out to someone I held in high esteem at that time. I poured my heart out to them and I all but begged for assistance. Unfortunately, what was said to me caused me to have a major melt down.
Can you imagine how I felt when I was told my problem was not a problem. The only thing was that satan had taken control of me. Now, if that's not problem, I don't know what is. Sadly to say, I was not given any instructions on how to shake the devil. I did however walk away knowing this one thing for sure, words are not like shoes. Once they are said, there are "No Exchanges and No Returns." The control of how they may be received are out of the hands of the person who speaks them.
I encourage you to be cognizant of the words you speak. This does not mean we will not mess up from time to time; and if we do, Job gives us an example in chapter 6, verse 24 of how to petition God for His help. (Job 6:24) "Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred." This can not be done without the help of the Lord. James (3:5) tells us, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" Let this be a reminder to us that great things truly do come in small packages.
Be encouraged my sister. If you don't have tongue control, I pray with you that God will teach you. My challenge for you is to be willing to see and hear somethings about you that you will not like; and I promise you when the process is over and the lesson is learned your tongue will be used to uplift and not tear down.
My grandparents always reminded us, our mouths could get us into more trouble than we may ever be able to get out of. Even with this constant reminder, it did not matter to me. All I wanted to do was make people feel what I was feeling. I was hurt and I wanted those around me to hurt too. It wasn't until I matured that I began to understand the reason behind my behavior. As we have all heard, hurt people hurt people and I can attest to this.
The unfortunate thing about our words is once they are said, they can't be taken back. As children we would often say, "sticks and stones may hurt my bones but words will never hurt me." This statement is one of the biggest misconceptions I have ever heard. Words can be detrimental as they can build up or they can tear down.
It's funny now how I reflect on situations in my life and understand better what my parents and grandparents meant. As you may recall, I have had some very interesting encounters; and as I write this post today, I am reminded of one in particular. I was seriously struggling with an issue when I reached out to someone I held in high esteem at that time. I poured my heart out to them and I all but begged for assistance. Unfortunately, what was said to me caused me to have a major melt down.
Can you imagine how I felt when I was told my problem was not a problem. The only thing was that satan had taken control of me. Now, if that's not problem, I don't know what is. Sadly to say, I was not given any instructions on how to shake the devil. I did however walk away knowing this one thing for sure, words are not like shoes. Once they are said, there are "No Exchanges and No Returns." The control of how they may be received are out of the hands of the person who speaks them.
I encourage you to be cognizant of the words you speak. This does not mean we will not mess up from time to time; and if we do, Job gives us an example in chapter 6, verse 24 of how to petition God for His help. (Job 6:24) "Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred." This can not be done without the help of the Lord. James (3:5) tells us, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" Let this be a reminder to us that great things truly do come in small packages.
Be encouraged my sister. If you don't have tongue control, I pray with you that God will teach you. My challenge for you is to be willing to see and hear somethings about you that you will not like; and I promise you when the process is over and the lesson is learned your tongue will be used to uplift and not tear down.