"A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Have you ever squeezed too much toothpaste onto your toothbrush? Do you try to put it back into the tube? This calls to mind an old proverb: "Three things once released will not return again: an opportunity neglected, an arrow released from its bow, and a word spoken in haste." We could spend the rest of our days here on earth drawing lessons from this familiar proverb. An opportunity neglected, an arrow released, a word spoken in haste.
Sometimes in our efforts to say exactly the right thing at the right time, we speak our words in haste. Then we usually wish we could draw them back inside us. But we can't. Words spoken in haste are all those words we speak without weighing first how each could effect the hearer. We utter words in jest, in everything we say without thinking.
Our tongue is an important member of our body. And how it functions reflects the way we make others feel. The Bible mentions the tongue many times, in many ways. Jesus said, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37)
"The tongue is a fire, a word of iniquity." "With their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness" (James 3:6 and context; Romans 3:13-14). Are you a Christian, able to control your tongue? If so, you are a mature Christian. "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2).
When we speak kind, thoughtful and true words, there is happiness. When we speak mean, untrue, angry or complaining words, there is trouble. Think on this before you utter a word in haste.
May God bless you with a wonderful day.
Love in Christ Jesus, Sandy |
