Guarding Our Words

 Guarding Our Words

A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards.

PROVERBS 29.11 

So many conflicts could be avoided if people simply understood the truth of this verse. The Bible says that it is a fool who speaks whatever he is thinking at the moment. A wise person guards his words and speaks at the right time.

Have you heard someone say, “Well, I just say whatever I think!” That person has unwittingly revealed something negative about himself. In contrast, a wise person knows when to speak up and when to be quiet.

As you deal with people, some of them will irritate you. Sometimes people or situations can be so annoying that we find words rising up in our minds that almost demand to be spoken. Don’t give in to that impulse.

You are empowered by grace and have authority over what you say and don’t say. Don’t give life to angry thoughts by inappropriately expressing them. There is a proper time, place, and manner for expressing thoughts in words. Be sure that when you speak, it is a godly response and not an impulsive reaction.