Mind Your Words!

Francis Bourdillon, 1873

"The tongue has the power of life and death!" Proverbs 18:21

Many people seem to think that words signify little. They must not do what is wrong—but they may say what they please. So they seem to think.

Is this right? No, it is quite wrong. What we say signifies as much as what we do. As much good or harm may be done with the tongue, as with any member that we have—perhaps more.

What harm an angry word may do! If one person says an angry word, it often leads the other to do the like; and then the first is more angry still, and that provokes the other further, and so they go on until they end in cursing or even in fighting! And all from one angry word. Perhaps until that word was spoken, they were friends.

But what good a kind word may do! One angry word does not always lead to another. Sometimes a man has grace to return a kind answer, like Him "who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten." This does wonders in cooling an angry man. He can hardly go on storming at one who gives him nothing but kind words in return, and often he will own that he has been wrong and ask pardon for what he has said. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).

Again, how much good a kind word may do to one in trouble! A friend coming in at such a time and speaking kindly and leading our thoughts to God—does us more good than if he brought us a rich present in his hand. And yet he has given us nothing but words. But they were good words, his heart speaking by his lips; and we feel the better for them long after he has gone.

The Bible does not make light of words. Our Lord said: "I say unto you that for every idle word that men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37).

Now words are often spoken hastily and forgotten as soon as spoken. But then a strict account will have to be given of all. Every lie, every oath, every unclean word, every bitter speech—must then be accounted for to God. They will all be found written in His book, not one left out, not one forgotten. Is not this a solemn thought?

Do not think lightly then of words! They may do much harm—or they may do much good. God does not think lightly of them. They are written in His book, and men will be judged by them at the last day.

Sins of the tongue, like all other sins, need the blood of Jesus to wash them away. Ask God, for Christ's sake, to forgive you for all your bad words and to give you His Holy Spirit, that you may sin with your tongue no more. When you feel angry with anyone, do not speak until you have prayed. Here is a prayer that will just suit you: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth! Keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3).