The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
(Proverbs 15:28)
Solomon’s father wrote, “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Self-control can be measured by the degree that one holds his or her tongue; in short, to be self-controlled is to rule over one’s tongue, to pause, and to weigh words before they are spoken. Although the tongue is small, it is potent and can do enormous damage quickly and if slander, lies, gossip, and vulgarities fill a person, such words will well up and overflow. One’s tongue only speaks of the attitudes and motives of the heart. It is God’s desire that the heart be pure and that if the source is clean and wise, then the words will be similar. Words have power to heal, to bless, to encourage, and to edify.
How would we live if we really believed that every word and every thought were being examined by God? What if there truly is a living, all-knowing God who is keeping records? Do you weigh your words? Do you understand the tremendous potential power of words?