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Your Words
“Let the words of my mouth … be acceptable
in Thy sight, O Lord” (Psalm 19:14).
Watch your words diligently. Words have such a great power to either bless and encourage, or to condemn and discourage. When we speak carelessly or negatively, we do damage — often beyond repair. We can say we are sorry, but we really can’t take it back. Like a bird let loose from a cage over an open meadow, words spread their wings and we can do little, if anything, to bring them back.
That is why we need to learn to control and discipline our speech. Left to itself, “The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things … the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity … the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:5-6, 8). That is why, earlier in this epistle, he says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be … slow to speak” (James 1:19). Weigh your words carefully before you let them fly.
On the other hand, under the restraint of the Lord, and guided by the Holy Spirit, our words can be sweet and comforting, and acceptable to the Lord for the blessing and edification of others.
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