Careless words

This week I was reminded of how words can hurt.


Words are usually spoken in one of two ways; purposeful or carelessly

Most of the time what we think about what we want to say and then say them. We usually have a purpose in them so they mean something to those listening and most of time it helps not hurts.
Sometimes we just speak carelessly not really thinking but just speak with out realizing how the words we speak will be received. This is usually when we feel comfortable or we just aren't thinking about how others might receive them.

I have to say, that I have had my fair share of Careless words. Sometimes saying something in the company of people I don't know and then later finding out what I said was offensive. Truly, this is where the phrase " putting your foot in your mouth" came from. Usually though it is blown off by those who hear them because they realize it wasn't intentional. However there are times when the words we speak carelessly wound those whom we have said them too even if there was no real intention to hurt them - we still must take responsibility for our words. I have said and I've heard other say, well, that wasn't my intention so it's their problem not mine. But you know that isn't the right attitude. We must be willing to humble ourselves and apologize if our words were mistaken as hurtful or if they were received in the wrong way. We ought to go the extra mile to assure that others aren't being hurt by what we say.

Okay: so I know some of you are thinking. Well, there are times when we say things and they are true and the words we speak may be hurtful if the other person isn't willing to receive them. That is true and I'm not speaking about "saying something in love that is true". I'm talking about careless words we speak without any real thought. Or when we say things without any thought to how the other person will receive them. This is where speaking in LOVE is so important.


So anyway, I was just reminded this week of how important it is to guard what we say and not to just speak things in jest or flippantly. That even if we are joking they aren't always received as such, or maybe we mean them but the words we say have a greater effect on those who have received them. I guess it was just a good reminder for me to take heed and take responsibility for what I say both with purpose or in jest!

here are some scriptures to just drive this home to us all.....

Matt. 12:36-37 " and I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned".

James 3:6,8-10 " And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity.... " "But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."

Proverbs 12:18 " there is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Proverbs 13: 3 " The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."

Proverbs 26:18-19 " Like a madman who throws Firebrand, arrows and death,
So is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, 'Was I not joking?'"



Lord, I pray for myself that I would be mindful of my words - especially this week. I pray that I would speak words that are encouraging and empower. Words that speak life not death. I pray that I would catch myself when I do speak in jest and that I would be sure that it was received in the right way or hold my tongue...
I want to bring life not death Lord when I speak.....

It is in your name I pray....
the Name of Jesus...

Amen...............