Our words shape our future, it shapes what we believe, it shapes the lives of others and what we believe about ourselves. Words are a mirror to your heart. Words create, words destroy, words edify, words carry weight. The Bible says it is important to measure our words carefully. This is an art that is difficult to achieve, but the Holy Spirit can surely help us. Sometimes keeping silent can save you a lot of trouble. In my experience, learning to be silent or to measure my words is a continual process. Here are some tips that the Holy Spirit has been teaching me on how to master this art:
- Pray Psalm 141:3 – Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. (This has helped me in many ways, sometimes I’m ready to give someone a piece of my mind, but I withhold and think of the aftermath before it has even happened. When we think of the consequences it can bring, the hurt it can cause, we take a step back).
- Season your speech – Colossians 4:6 says “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Whenever you are tempted to lash out, write a negative post, say something offending to get even, ask God to remind you to have patience and grace over people in those situations. Those are crucial moments that self-control needs to kick in…that’s where the fruit of the Holy Spirit must come into action, but remember that although the HS advises you, naturally you can choose to disobey or obey, choose the latter).
- Shut the door to quarrel. – Proverbs 17:14 -“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.” (Do not react and be impulsive, think before you speak and in fact, if you can avoid it all together do so. Don’t involve yourself in the quarrel of someone else and be wise to remain silent. You have the right to remain silent and honor your Father in heaven).
Author: Jennifer V. Flores