I was asked my thoughts about slander and gossip by one of the readers this week so I decided to write this blog on this subject.
Over the past number of months, we have seen people in the political, sports, media fields launch verbal tirades against their opponents, adversaries etc and to say the least, it has not been pretty.
Most of us will, and rightly so say that the words and the venom behind those words are destructive no matter our personal persuasions.
Some will say that they have the right to say what they have to because they feel they are in the right but are they? And even if they were/are, is it right to be callous, hurtful and destructive?
Some will say that they have the right to say what they have to because they feel they are in the right but are they? And even if they were/are, is it right to be callous, hurtful and destructive?
Funny, we look at the things others say and yet truth be told, we sometimes have some careless whispers that can be just as devastating as any public display by those in the public eye.
And I wonder why is it that we find it easier sometimes to throw out some careless whispers when we know how words that have been thrown our way can not only hurt, but have the potential to decimate us?
And I wonder why is it that we find it easier sometimes to throw out some careless whispers when we know how words that have been thrown our way can not only hurt, but have the potential to decimate us?
Because Words Matter and the weight and meaning behind the words we use have power. Power for good, for healing, for hope or the reverse, to harm, destroy, frustrate.
Think about it for a moment; one word can promote or devalue, encourage or stifle, help or obstruct, praise or denigrate and I could go on.
I know what it’s like to have words thrown my way that have taken a bite out of my system. I also know that I’ve also had moments where I’ve thrown out a careless whisper only to regret the harm I caused.
Even when we apologize for those whispers or “loud moments”, those words are out in the air. Like a record of a deed done, just maybe we should think before we speak.
Even when we apologize for those whispers or “loud moments”, those words are out in the air. Like a record of a deed done, just maybe we should think before we speak.
Here are a few proverbs that speak to the words that come out of our mouth and the responsibility we have for those words we speak.
A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!
It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.
This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a reckless killer. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!
My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and salt the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?
So what are we to do?
Here are some quotes that I have found to be very helpful in thinking before I speak and if I do, it’s about speaking life and encouragement to those around us, friend or foe (hopefully, few and far between).
“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”
"Be mindful when it comes to your words. A string of some that don't mean much to you, may stick with someone else for a lifetime."
"Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten."
"Words are free. it’s how you use them that may cost you."
"Be careful what you say. You can say something hurtful in ten seconds, but ten years later, the wounds are still there.
"Don't mix bad words with your bad mood. You'll have many opportunities to change a mood, but you'll never get the opportunity to replace the words you spoke."
I think our families, friends, work places, communities will benefit from speaking words of life in unbelievable ways.
Simple yet true….
A line from Toby Mac’s Speak Life says…
Lift your head a little higher, Spread the love like fire Hope will fall like rain, When you speak life with the words you say Raise your thoughts a little higher, Use your words to inspire Joy will fall like rain when you speak life with the things you say
That about sums it up and it’s what I choose to believe.
Speak life............
Dave
#Forwardfridays #Blog #speaklife #joy #nomorecarelesswhispers #hope #dolifedifferently #wordsmatter #thinkbeforewespeak
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