Slow to Speak

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (Matthew 12:35-36)

All I have to say is, “Yikes!”  I’m going to be held accountable for every careless word that comes out of my mouth.  Yowser!  I don’t know if you are anything like me, but I can probably count on at least one careless word a day.  I’d love to say I’ve conquered this, that some how I’ve learned the art of “being quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19).”  But that wouldn’t be very honest of me.

I’m seeing that I have to slow down quite a bit, listen up a lot more, and speak less frequently.  I want to be more careful when choosing my response to others.  I want my words to be Christlike, to be a reflection of God’s work in me, and to be completely honoring to God.  I want to choose each word wisely!

Have you ever spoken a careless word?  Do you need to slow down to listen?  If so, join me in the journey of speaking less and listening more!

Read more of Matthew 12

Dear Father God, I often forget to slow down and listen.  I pray that You will remind me daily the power in my words.  May I take the time to listen more and speak less frequently. 

Yours Truly,