"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" -Psalm 141:3
When I read this verse this morning, I could not help be recall an earlier post this week about duct/tape. I must need additional reminders going into the weekend.
A careless word is like blowing a dandelion puff into the air. The seeds go everywhere. We cannot put them back. We do not know where they will land, where they will take root, or if they will be troublesome in the future.
The mouth, lips, and tongue work together to give us clear speech. If any of the three are not in cooperation, messages can be unclear.
In this day of social media, thoughts are spewed out as if they have no impact. Texting and emails can be equally troublesome with no tone of voice to accompany the words. Sarcasm is so easy to spew (and it can be funny), but it can be deeply wounding to another person's spirit, too.
Some are able to choose words carefully and articulate with kindness; sometimes a guard at the door of the mouth and a lock on the lips is the better choice.
The old saying holds rich truth, "Tis better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Plant words with good intentions. Seed souls with encouragement. Speaking truth requires an unquestionable, unchanging source of truth.
Today, I am grateful for mouth and lip warnings.
No comments:
Post a Comment