For those who are not French scholars this means close your mouth or be quiet or a harsher 'shut up".I detest the phrase 'shut up' and never used it with my children when I was raising them. It just seems so harsh and uncalled for. But all of us probably have times when it would do us good to shut the little hole in our face and not always have to comment on everything. We do not need always need to give our 'two cents' or have an opinion on everything. Waiting and pondering is better than rushing into a conversation and later wishing you had kept your mouth closed.
That little mouth can sure get us into a lot of trouble. Not thinking before we speak or speaking when emotions run high can have disastrous effects. Sometimes I feel a good roll of duct tape is in order in not to say something we will regret later. The talking these days can also be in the form of emails or texts that are misunderstood or taken out of context and adding fuel to a fire. I have been there I know.
Once careless words are 'out there' they can not be taken back that is why it is wise to not fly off the handle and speak when you are emotional. Try your hardest to have self control in the area of speech. It is easy to just blurt something out but much better to hold your tongue and wait.
In the Bible it says in Matthew 12:36-37 that "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Now if that does not make you be careful saying ugly cruel things to friends, family or strangers then nothing will. Proverbs 12:18 says " The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Do you choose to build people up or tear them down? What would God have you do?
Ephesians 4:29 tells us " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Criticizing, meddling, gossiping, swearing, complaining and lying surely are not beneficial to anyone.
Why not start today to try to make it a point to only let good,pure, and kind words come from your mouth. If you are mad and feel like getting even what good will it do? Be the bigger person and let it go and walk away. There is a Bible verse that says "Do not let the sun go down on your anger' (Ephesians 4:26).
I have heard it said for every negative ugly comment you made seven had to be made to make up for the one. So in a relationship if you have hurt someone with careless words you need to find seven really kind nice things to say to redeem yourself.
James 1:19 is a verse I feel newlyweds should make a verse to live by and it says" Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." Ecclesiastes 5:2 is a great verse to conclude on. It says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few."
PRAYER: Lord it sames in James 3 that no man can tame the tongue. Lord help me because I want to be careful what I say. Give me the self control to not always open my mouth. Help me think before I speak. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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