THINK BEFORE YOU TALK.

TEXT: PROVERBS 15: 28

“The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.”

The scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that whatever we do, we should do it to the glory of God- that includes the way we talk or respond to conversations with people.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6).

As believers, we should be careful how we talk either during formal or informal (joke/gist) time. Some get carried away during informal conversation; they let down their guard and talk recklessly throwing caution into the air that people will be wondering if they are genuinely saved!

Professing Jesus as your lord and saviour has given you some unpaid “watchdogs.” Their Eagle eyes watches every step you take without you knowing. They listen to verbal and non- verbal expression you make, they want to scrutinise you to find errors to accuse you with.

The devil is an accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). Therefore, do not give him a foothold in your life.

Speak gracefully; let people see God in your conversation. Worldly slangs are not for genuine believers (that is conformity to the world).

Before you speak or utter a word, think “will this utterance glorify God?”

Some people are saints until there is a reason for them to be angry.

When anger takes over, you will marvel at their utterances- Let not your righteousness be evident around the church vicinity alone, show your righteousness EVERYWHERE and at all times (either at formal or non-formal setting).

If you are in the midst of unbelievers and they cannot see your light or righteousness in your conversation, if you flow easily with their “norms” then, there is a problem with your salvation.

Do not question the existence of God in your life with your utterances- think before you talk, make sure your conversation will bring glory to the name of God whenever you open your mouth to talk.

Be very careful to choose your word, be disciplined with word- do not talk carelessly thinking that “they will understand that I was joking or they will understand that I was being provoked to say what I did not mean.”

“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life.” (James 3: 5-6).

In the same vein, do not let God down with your utterances when you are angry- lean to control your emotion. The scripture says in Philippians 1:27 that “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” In your anger do not sin, talk less when you are angry so that you will not utter what you will regret later.

I will leave you with this verse of the Bible “Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.” (Proverbs 16:32).

Image: Google image.