We have all said things before that we wish that we could take back. Unfortunately, once a bell has been rung, it cannot be unrung. Similarly, once words are spoken, they cannot be swallowed back as if they were never said. That is why it is so important that we carefully choose the words that we say.
King Solomon said in Proverbs 18:21, The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NIV) I love the translation of the Message for the same verse Words kill, words give life; theyre either poison or fruityou choose. (Message) If you read through the book of Proverbs, you will find that the tongue is one of the most frequent things talked about. That is because the words that we say are so very powerful!
So what can we do to help prevent ourselves from saying words that we wish we hadnt of said? One way is to think before we speak or reply. King Solomon also said, There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.(Proverbs 29:20 NLT) Another way is to think encouragement. As damaging as hurtful words can be, conversely, kind words can be so very encouraging and motivating! Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24 NIV) We should make a habit of saying kind words to others.
Most of all, we should work on our hearts if we want to say words that are more kind. Jesus said that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (Matthew 12:34b-35 NIV) We can prepare our hearts to speak by spending time in His Word and time alone with Him in prayer. Saying the right things most of the time is not by accident!
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
(Wonderful Words of Life by Philip P. Bliss 1874)
Words can build you up, words can break you down
Start a fire in your heart or put it out
