Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say
It was early morning. I was making the coffee and decided to turn on the radio to get the weather report. I was just in time to hear the news of another celebrity self-destructing.
It seems this person said some very damaging things during a heated argument, and as always seems to be the case in this technological age, someone got it on tape. Apparently is wasn’t the first time this person had hurled a verbal barrage that made the media rounds. The reporter didn’t hold out much hope for a bright future in the entertainment business.
I thought about how foolish it all was. There doesn’t seem to be a thing that happens any more that someone doesn’t record and then publish for all the world to see or hear. If that celebrity had just taken a moment to take a deep breath and think about the consequences of his words, the outcome might have been very different. Words are very powerful things and once spoken we can never get them back.
Later, while taking my walk, a little song from my childhood Sunday School classes just popped into my head. One of the verses says:
“Be careful little mouth what you say.
Be careful little mouth what you say.
There’s a Father up above and He’s looking down in love,
So be careful little mouth what you say.”
A Father up above – One who not only hears every word I speak but knows what they will be before I utter a syllable. Every word of anger, gossip, criticism, complaint, falsehood, sarcasm – He hears them all. Jesus spoke about words during His time on earth:
“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.”
Matthew 12:36
As humiliating as it would be to have foolish words we have spoken broadcast over the internet, how would it be to stand before the Lord to give an account of those same words? It makes me want to guard my tongue very carefully.
We cannot be perfect in all that we say, but we can ask for help to speak in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. He is gracious and merciful and understands our weakness. He readily forgives us when we fail. When our hearts are right before Him, we will speak words that edify and glorify. Jesus also said:
“For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”
Matt. 12:34
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14
Blessings,
Linda
Such a wonderful post, bless you.
This has to be the third or fourth time since last week that these scriptures have presented themselves to me. Hmmm…wonder why? It is so easy to say or write something I think is clever only to realize I wasn’t honoring Christ with my words. Flippancy is a real trap for me. Thank you for taking the time to write about this. Blessings.
Very appropriate words today, Linda. Thanks for the reminder!
Great post here dear, and yes when I first seen the title of your post, I thought of that childrens song, we sang so many time, let us all take it to heart, and bridle our mouth, the tongue is such an unruly member, and sometimes we just let it wag…Hugs and blessing.
Psalm 19:14 is one of my favorites. Thank you for the great reminder!
Living for Him, Joan
What a good reminder for each one of us! It can be easy to shrug at crazy celebrities but how about each word and tone we use in private. The Lord hears it all.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Oh how true. I never thought about given an account when standing before the Lord. I have been very careful what slips out of my mouth. Like you said, we can’t take back what comes out of it.
AMEN!!
So true! What a great reminder that the words we use have the ability to either encourage or discourage, build up or tear down. Our words do one or the other. May we all choose carefully! -blessings!
So true, so true…amen, Linda. 🙂
What a blessing this reflection is!! Aruth I’ve learned so long a go but keeps firm in our hearts forever
God bless you for sharing it .
Sorry, correcting the previous comment … Aruth was must be read as A truth
thanks