Things I Don't Like About Myself: Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

My careless tongue

“Talk is cheap,” goes the old saying. Alas, that old saying is a lie. Hurtful words may come cheaply and easily out of your mouth, but the damage done and the cost of repairs may be extremely expensive.

I once mouthed some very critical words about a family member to another family member, who then felt it necessary to share my words with the person. Busted! The person I smacked down and his wife have been cool to me ever since. At first I was furious for getting ratted out, but then I put the blame where it belonged—on the one who should have kept his critical opinions to himself in the first place. Here are the brakes I should have had on my tongue from the start: “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).

Take a little inventory of your relationships. Are any of your relatives or friends bleeding from verbal wounds that you have given? Don’t just settle for a sullen truce, or worse, run away. How might your wise tongue bring about some healing? Are you angry right now with what someone has said about you? You know, you can decide to forgive the person (if for no other reason than that Christ Jesus has unilaterally decided to forgive you of your sins if you believe in Him).

Perhaps the tongue of the wise (i.e., you) might bring about some healing.

Still need a pick-me-up? Watch this video series to see how you can be truly happy as God's child.