It's been estimated that a talkative person may speak 30,000 words a day. But the most important question is, how do our words, whether few or many, affect others?
A Greek philosopher asked his servant to cook the best dish possible. The servant, who was considered very wise, prepared a dish made of ox tongue. According to the servant, "It's the best of all dishes, for it reminds us that we may use the tongue to bless and express happiness, dispel sorrow, remove despair, and spread cheer".
Later, the servant was asked to prepare the worst dish possible. Again, he prepared a dish made of ox tongue. According to the servant, "It's the worst of all dishes, for it reminds us that we may use out tongue to curse and break hearts, destroy reputations, create strife, and set families and nations at war."
We don't have to eat an ox tongue to grasp the servant's point. But we have to "eat our own words" quite often before we learn to avoid saying things we'd like to retract.
Solomon wrote: "The tongue of the wise promotes health" (Proverbs 12:18). It affirms and encourages others. The key word in the verse isn't "tongue" but "wise". The tongue is not in control, but the person behind it.
If you want your tongue to build people up and not tear them down, ask God to make you wise.
Words of Joanie Yoder, adopted from the book Our Daily Bread.
"Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech"
A Greek philosopher asked his servant to cook the best dish possible. The servant, who was considered very wise, prepared a dish made of ox tongue. According to the servant, "It's the best of all dishes, for it reminds us that we may use the tongue to bless and express happiness, dispel sorrow, remove despair, and spread cheer".
Later, the servant was asked to prepare the worst dish possible. Again, he prepared a dish made of ox tongue. According to the servant, "It's the worst of all dishes, for it reminds us that we may use out tongue to curse and break hearts, destroy reputations, create strife, and set families and nations at war."
We don't have to eat an ox tongue to grasp the servant's point. But we have to "eat our own words" quite often before we learn to avoid saying things we'd like to retract.
Solomon wrote: "The tongue of the wise promotes health" (Proverbs 12:18). It affirms and encourages others. The key word in the verse isn't "tongue" but "wise". The tongue is not in control, but the person behind it.
If you want your tongue to build people up and not tear them down, ask God to make you wise.
Words of Joanie Yoder, adopted from the book Our Daily Bread.
"Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech"
Interesting post, Joshua Miguel. Tongue is a powerful organ that can make or mar relationships, cheer or break hearts, motivate or throw people into despair. Reflect before speaking, and if in doubt, be silent.
ReplyDeleteIndeed words are powerful and we should think before speaking so we don't accidentally hurt anyone. Negative words are not easily forgotten.
ReplyDelete