I know that biting your tongue doesn’t sound ideal, but figuratively, it is.
Words are some of the strongest and influencing things. The things that you say to others and about can make or break them. You know that phrase, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?” I disagree with that so strongly. I would rather break a bone than be attacked with words because, in my opinion, a broken bone can heal much faster.
I think sometimes, we take for granted the weight that our words can have on each other. We’re so quick to act on emotion and without thinking about what we are saying before we say it. I know I struggle with it sometimes as well, I tend to want to address things in the moment instead of taking time to logically and rationally think about what I want to say and how I can handle it in the best way possible. It can be a very destructive trait to have and can really hurt the people around you and those you care about the most.
Matthew 12:33-34, "A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. For whatever is in your heart determines what you say."
We need to evaluate our tongues and what is in our heart. If we have hurt and anger in our hearts, then that's what's going to spill out in our conversations with others because hurt people hurt people. If you notice that your heart is full of resentment, anger, bitterness, hurt, pain, or anything of the sort, please take it to the Lord. Talk with Him and others about it to enable you to heal because it is no fun to go through life carrying the weight of that burden.
I've heard this acronym before and find it to be a helpful tip in taming your tongue. We must THINK before we speak:
1. Is it True?
2. Is it Helpful?
3. Is it Important?
4. Is it Necessary?
5. Is it Kind?
I encourage you to think about this and use it the next time you get upset someone else. Don't speak out of the hurt and emotion that you feel in the moment, but instead take time to cool down, reflected and talk I think over with God before talking with the person you got into an argument with.
