Speaking Right…Rightly Speaking

Have you ever said something, and then later or maybe even as you were speaking, you wish you weren’t saying it, or hadn’t said it?

Heard this saying: “Words are like nails, you can pull them out of the wood, but the holes are still there”. Whatever we speak, has the ability to permanently effect those who hear it, especially if it is directed at them.

Heard a preacher give this acronym about our speech: THINK

T: Is it True? H: Is it Helpful? I: Is it Inspiring? N: Is it Necessary? K: Is it Kind?

Everything we speak must be truthful if we are to pleasing to God, but also if we are to be trusted to those to whom we are speaking.

Our speech should be “helpful”, not “hindering” or destructive.

Our speech should “inspire” not “degrade” or “suppress”.

We should determine if our speech has purpose; Is it necessary or empty?

Is our speech “kind” or “mean spirited”?

Paul lays out the template for our speech and other communication in Ephesians

Ephesians 4:29 – 32 (KJV)

[29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. [30] And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

When I measure my speech by the Word of God, I found myself in grave deficiency; I’ve missed the mark, offended the innocent, hurt the ones I love, and completely put my foot in my mouth, not to mention, compromised my witness for Christ.

May this be my prayer, not just daily, but moment by moment:

Psalm 19:14 (KJV) “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength, and my Redeemer”

Something to ponder…..