Try to taste your words before you spit them out.
A lengthy tongue- an early death! – Persian proverb.
The tongue destroys a greater hoard, than does a sword- Turkish proverb.
The tongue has so many functions; part of it is to be a channel of blessings and chart the course of life for mankind. The tongue may be small but has tremendous impact. It should never be allowed to slip because it can cause more harm than war! Much of the conflict in the world has been caused by a combination of a narrow mind and a wide mouth. So watch what you say, for words spoken can never be recalled. Even if you say sorry, the damage has already been done. It pays to listen twice as much as you speak that’s why we have two ears and one mouth. You hardly get into trouble by listening.
Words can break family apart, cause wars, leave scars and cause ill-health. Many times we recover from a physical wound than an emotional wound caused by degrading words from our loved ones. There was this couple that had been married for years without children, then finally God blessed them and the wife got pregnant. One fateful day the couple got into an argument and the man said something very nasty and demeaning to his wife, her heart could not bear the burden of the hurtful words her husband used on her, immediately she miscarried the pregnancy they waited over ten years for. Ten minutes argument can set a relationship backward 10 years.
There comes a time you will be under an intense stress or pressure, learn to talk less at such moments so that you don’t end up living in regret. Sometimes, you have to keep quiet and act the fool even if you’re right. That makes you a person of honour. The Israelites were supposed to pass through the wilderness to their promised land, but they ended up spending 40 years there because they couldn’t control their tongue.
Build up your loved ones, friends, colleagues and the people around you with words of hope and encouragement. Make people feel special, confident and better about themselves. Love makes allowance for people’s weakness; don’t go about having the last word and tearing people down with your words rather, help them grow and become more confident and positive minded. Look at what the Bible says about taming the tongue:
- The tongue of the wise utters knowledge aright; but the mouths of fools pour out folly. ~ Proverbs 15:2
- Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. ~ Proverbs 12:18
- The mouth of the righteous talk of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice. ~ Psalms 37:30
- The north wind brings forth rain: So doth backbiting tongue an angry countenance. ~ Proverbs 25:23
- Whoso keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. ~ Proverbs 21:23
- Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. ~ Proverbs 18:21
A careless tongue gives rise to a careless life! So think before you speak.
Lesson: If you don’t have something useful and encouraging to say, don’t say anything. Make your words ‘a fountain of life’ to a dying soul. Be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wroth.
Great job ma , so inspiring