I ate hummus today... and carrots. It was scrumptious."Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
I wonder what talk radio, television news, and dinner table conversations would sound like if those involved stood firm to the above quote.
Words are very powerful. Could I have written a more dull and obvious fact? However, we don't treat them like they're powerful. We throw them about without a care whose heart they may stab into. We utter ridiculous things which we would never utter if we knew how silly or stupid they made us sound. We vomit both distasteful and lovely terms alike so many times we become desensitized to their harshness or beauty.
I often keep my mouth shut. Recently someone asked me "do you ever talk". I wish I had just nodded, it would have been funny. Anyhow, if I let my words flow as quickly as my thoughts I suspect I would frequently be in trouble, make new enemies, and be in a constant state of embarrassment. I realize I should talk more, but I want to speak meaningful and wholesome words. I don't want all that trash to come out. Its getting harder and I emit garbage anyway, so why do I even bother?
Maybe it would be easier if I truly understood how my words effect those around me. I am learning, though, and being reminded of how important my words really are. A simple encouraging praise can brighten someone's dismal day. Its amazing how little I compliment people. I really should do it (more).
Biting your tongue when a passionate disagreement occurs can save you. A rampant, and hurtful, activity that should desperately be avoided and is curiously easy to find yourself partaking in is gossip. I could go on but I want to end on a funny note. I found this quote by Will Rogers (I think its by him):
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut."
P.S. If you're wondering about the photo, I was going to write a bit about living long, prospering, and consumerism, but I changed my mind. I'll try to write about that someday.
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2 comments:
Living long and prospering...a couple of verses immediately came to mind :-)
Honor your father and mother that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God has given you...and Joshua 1:8...this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate upon it both day and night so that you be careful to do according to all that is written in it for then you will make your way prosperous and then you shall have success. Funny...I don't think this is meant in a legalistic sense. Love you and miss you.
Strange how our experiences often mirror each others. I can remember several occasions where I've been asked if I ever talk. I'm guessing it's because whenever I do open my mouth, I end up regretting it later. Of course, I've found that keeping your mouth shut in some situations isn't always the right thing, since people tend to draw just as many conclusions from silence as words. Tricky subject, this talking.
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