Thursday, October 22, 2015

Cautious words

Proverbs 15:23 (NLT)
23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

We speak wisely when we speak in a timely fashion with a word of wisdom. For those who hear they are delighted and therefore it is a wonderful thing to say the right thing at the right time.



Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Words That Hurt, Words That Heal, has lectured throughout this country on the powerful, often negative impact of words. He often asks audiences if they can go 24 hours without saying any unkind words about, or to, another person. Invariably, a small number of listeners raise their hands, signifying "Yes." Others laugh, and quite a few call out, "No!"

Telushkin responds: "Those who can't answer 'yes' must recognize that you have a serious problem. If you can't go 24 hours without drinking liquor, you're addicted to alcohol. If you can't go 24 hours without smoking, you're addicted to nicotine. So if you can't go 24 hours without saying unkind words about others, then you've lost control over your tongue."

Mark Mitchell, "The Life-Giving Tongue," Qoheleth blog (11-15-13)



The Bible says, “And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.” The mouth being a small part of our body can say things that can change the course and nature of people. We should always be cautious as to the things we say; always speaking wisely

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