Speech - Psalm 19:14, Psalm 141:3

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.

***This study was mainly for me.  I don't want others to think I am pointing fingers.  I NEEDED to read this and hear this and know that it was true.  I am sharing in the hopes that it will bless others.***

Words are powerful.  Not just spoken words, but words written, blogged, twittered and sang.  As I consider my words:
Are they always honest?  kind?  encouraging?
Am I using words to express the love of Jesus to those around me?
Should I practice silence?
Does this HAVE to be said?
What are the consequences if I DO or DON'T speak?
Does love guide my words?

Those are the tough questions that I am contemplating this morning.  I can say that I started several years ago to monitor my speech (I'm NOT perfect though!!!!!) so I do have a tendence to think twice before I speak.  I also have written many letters this year, only to throw them away a few days later.  I think that it is good to write out your feelings in a letter, set it aside for a day or so and then decide if it should be mailed.  Once I actually mailed a letter (several years ago) but since then they usually get thrown away. 

The thing to remember is that words - no matter the delivery method - can't ever be taken back.  Yes, sometimes things NEED to be said.  Frequently,  the words I want to say won't make any positive difference in the situation.  If they won't impact the situation in a positive way, why take a chance that they will make a negative impact? 

Yes, sometimes bottling things up will make a situation explosive.  Share your feelings with a trusted friend (removed from the difficult situation).  Write in a journal (oh the journals I have filled!).  Write a letter to the person and then throw it away (I don't suggest email, it is way to easy to push send).  Someone suggested to me that I write out all the things I want to say, give them to God and bury them somewhere - or watch them burn in a fire.  All those hurt feelings and anger can be taken away by Him if we let Him anyway. 

So, today, I urge you to reflect on your words.  Let God guide you daily so that everything that you (or I!!!!!!) say will glorify Him.