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What say you?

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5).

Don’t do it! When that inner voice (the Holy Spirit) says do not say it, do you listen and obey? I know that nagging propensity to be right, the desire to win out, the demand to be heard, the passion for victory in an argument, the closed mindedness and refusal to examine yourself, and the glory of proving your own point.

What about the cost? The cost of broken friendship, the cost of abandonment, the cost of a lifeless marriage, the cost of a blemished reputation, or the cost of irreconcilable words. Those words that destroy, words that hurt, words that separate, words that scar, and words that kindle the fire of destruction.

Let us remember the weightier matters of our faith. Love God and love others. Turn from the hypocrisy of blessing a person one day and cursing them the next. Learn to close your mouth and refrain from speaking words that you’ll regret. Walk off and pray. Walk away and allow Christ to give you His perspective. Be led by the Spirit and directed by the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Is it really worth it?



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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 5:23 pm and is filed under Daily Encouragement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

3 Responses to “What say you?”

  1. Dale Fessenden Says:
    October 21st, 2009 at 2:57 am

    An excellent reminder that we all need every day Brother Forrest. Verbal communication is central to our lives & is so easily abused by words spoken before we have thought through their impact. The admonition to be slow to speak & swift to hear is one I need constantly. Oh, how many words I have wished to ‘call back,’ but they cannot be.

    As impersonal as it is, that is one advantage to email. I very often revise my wording before I click ‘Send’. I wish it were that easy with my verbal blunders.



  2. Jan Barchie Says:
    October 21st, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Forrest,

    I am really enjoying your emails. This one especially touched my heart. Yes, most of my sin comes from my tongue. I don’t know why I think my criticisms are going to change anyone!! Thanks for always reminding us to love Jesus more.



  3. Paula Says:
    October 21st, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    Just wanted to share this quote a friend had on her Facebook status. “You can either practice being right or practice being kind.” Anne Lamott