My Mother Use To Say…

Colossians 4:6  - "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."   NASU

• How To Speak

 My mother used to say, "If you don't have something nice to say about someone don't say anything at all." I can see the wisdom in that now and in fact, I believe I taught my children that same lesson.
 
James spoke about the tongue quite a bit. Let me share some of his wisdom about the tongue and our speech:
 
James 1:26 - If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.
 
James is saying we have to learn how to control our tongues. How many times have we said something and we wish we hadn't said it? If only we had controlled our tongue.
 
People have been sued for "defamation of character". What is that? That is where you allow your tongue to say things about someone that aren't true and they take you to court and sue you and successfully prove their case (defamation of character can be written as well as spoken).
 
God even tells us in the 10 Commandments that we are not to use our tongues for the wrong reasons when it is spelled out for us in Exodus 20:16 - "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."  In other words, don't use your tongue for evil. 

• It Can't Be Tamed

 
James 3:7-10 - For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
 
When I think about what James has said about the tongue I find it amazing. Every animal known to man can be tamed, BUT the human tongue can't be tamed.
How many fights between parents, children and spouses have been started with the wrong words?
 
If we could put some of those words back in our mouths, but we all know once they are out the damage has been done. One spark can start a huge forest fire. How many times have we heard "think before you speak"?
 
Years ago in one of my counseling classes the "old cliché" was our topic of discussion. I am sure you have heard it. It is the one that goes like this "sticks and stones may break my bones but your names will never hurt me."
 
Yeah, who believes that today? No one!
 
Name calling is very hurtful. It is definitely not what the tongue was intended to be used for. You know I guess my mother was right, if you don't have something nice to say about someone you should remain quiet.
 
I believe our Lord expects us also to refrain from speaking derogatory about politicians.  Paul said it this way "Let your speech always be with grace…"
 
When your speech is not seasoned with grace it makes your witness for Jesus look bad. In fact, it makes you look like a hypocrite.
 
So whether you want to do it my mother's way and not say anything bad about a person or the Apostle Paul's way by speaking but your words are to be gracefully spoken. If you choose to speak let your words be like salt and by that I mean when your food is seasoned correctly with salt it adds flavor to the meal.
 
Christians should be adding flavor to this world.
 
Jesus did say we are the salt of the earth, did He not?
 
Think About These:
 
Wisdom knows when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.
 
It is too bad that more people are thoughtless than speechless.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

​Minister of God's Word