“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” (Proverbs 15:28, ESV)
When growing up, I remember my grandmother giving me a bit of wisdom with the phrase, “Think before you speak!” Her intent was to remind me that my words have the power to help or to hurt. Her statement was a constant reminder that ill-conceived words said at the wrong moment can bring forth much suffering, discouragement, and evil. Have you ever said something in the spur of the moment only to regret it later?
Daniel and Sherry had been seeing each other for six months. With each passing day, Daniel began to think more seriously about marriage. He stopped in a jewelry store to look at the cost of wedding rings. Twice he talked to his best friend about the joys and disappointments of marriage. After much consideration, Daniel decided to ask Sherry for her hand in marriage.
Daniel planned everything in advance. He bought two tickets to a Broadway Show, made reservations at a nice restaurant in Manhattan, bought a ring, and arranged with Sherry for a memorable night on the town. Being nervous about the date, Daniel had a couple of drinks before leaving his apartment. An hour later, just before entering the theater for the show, Daniel took some anxiety medication. He was shaking with anticipation as they took their seats at the show.
After the show, Daniel checked his pocket for the ring as they rode in the cab to the restaurant. Then, at the restaurant, Daniel and Sherry ordered their meal. To complement the meal, Daniel ordered champaign. While waiting for their food to arrive, Daniel grew nervous about Sherry’s response to his question about marriage. Would she say, “Yes”? Would she be excited? When would they get married? A thousand questions ran through Daniel’s mind. To cover up his anxiety, Daniel had a few glasses of champaign. This seemed to do the trick. It calmed his nerves. Then, the waiter brought their first course of food.
As Daniel ate, he suddenly began sweating. He chalked it up to nervousness but then realized that the combination of four or six drinks (he never counted them!) and his anxiety medicine were affecting his reactions. He began to laugh at everything. When Sherry asked if he was OK, he defensively responded, “Don’t pressure me!” Sherry pulled back, not understanding why Daniel was upset. Finally, as Daniel’s laughs became more and more loud and obnoxious, Sherry asked to leave the restaurant even before their entrée arrived. Daniel yelled at her for “wrecking their perfect night out”. On the way to her apartment, they fought. As Daniel left her that night, he said, “I should never have bought a ring for tonight.”
The next day, Sherry told Daniel she was very upset about their date and wanted to take some time off. Suffering with a bad hangover and embarrassment from the night before, Daniel responded sarcastically, “Whatever! Why don’t you just start seeing other people while you are at it!” Daniel didn’t mean that at all! He couldn’t believe he said that! It damaged their relationship. A week later, the two broke up. To this day, Daniel regrets what transpired that night.
Have you ever said something you wish you could take back? In a moment of fiery emotion, have you blurted out something you later regretted deeply? Daniel’s wonderful relationship with Sherry was destroyed by words he never would have spoken if not for the influence of his medicine and the alcohol. When your guard is down, its all too easy to say something stupid, cruel, or damaging. It’s very important to “think before you speak”!
Today’s piece of wisdom from the book of Proverbs reaffirms the need to “think before you speak”. Proverbs 15:28 teaches that the heart of the righteous person “ponders how to answer”. The faithful are careful to consider the impact of their words. The second half of the scripture for today also adds that the wicked are adept at “pouring out evil” words. They do not hold back. Sometimes, they even enjoy the pain and anguish their ill-conceived words accomplish.
I would like to think that godly people are good at thinking before they speak. I have seen Christians use loving words to heal a broken heart or soothe a suffering soul. However, I’ve also witnessed Christians say some of the harshest, most vile, evil, and damaging things. Some of those words have been scornful. Some have been hateful. Some were intended to cause deep wounds. To be faithful to God, you need to consider your words. “Ponder” them as this scripture teaches. Take the time to weigh your words carefully before you utter them. Remember, you can never truly take back your words once they leave your mouth.
Never once in scripture do we see Jesus saying, “I said that, but I didn’t mean it!” Not once did Jesus attempt to take back his words. Jesus’ words were incredibly important, every one of them! For that reason, Jesus consistently weighed his words before speaking. He had no regrets after he spoke. He never once had to beg forgiveness for mistaken words uttered out of frustration, fear, weariness, or worry.
How well do you measure your words before speaking? Are you too quick to say something you later will regret? Being faithful to Jesus doesn’t just require godly actions. It requires thoughtful restraint! Out of a love of Christ, you need to carefully measure your words. With grace, you need to choose your words wisely. Otherwise, you will not only have regrets for what you said wrongly, you may poison how another person views the gospel!
Daniel and Sherry had been seeing each other for six months. With each passing day, Daniel began to think more seriously about marriage. He stopped in a jewelry store to look at the cost of wedding rings. Twice he talked to his best friend about the joys and disappointments of marriage. After much consideration, Daniel decided to ask Sherry for her hand in marriage.
Daniel planned everything in advance. He bought two tickets to a Broadway Show, made reservations at a nice restaurant in Manhattan, bought a ring, and arranged with Sherry for a memorable night on the town. Being nervous about the date, Daniel had a couple of drinks before leaving his apartment. An hour later, just before entering the theater for the show, Daniel took some anxiety medication. He was shaking with anticipation as they took their seats at the show.
After the show, Daniel checked his pocket for the ring as they rode in the cab to the restaurant. Then, at the restaurant, Daniel and Sherry ordered their meal. To complement the meal, Daniel ordered champaign. While waiting for their food to arrive, Daniel grew nervous about Sherry’s response to his question about marriage. Would she say, “Yes”? Would she be excited? When would they get married? A thousand questions ran through Daniel’s mind. To cover up his anxiety, Daniel had a few glasses of champaign. This seemed to do the trick. It calmed his nerves. Then, the waiter brought their first course of food.
As Daniel ate, he suddenly began sweating. He chalked it up to nervousness but then realized that the combination of four or six drinks (he never counted them!) and his anxiety medicine were affecting his reactions. He began to laugh at everything. When Sherry asked if he was OK, he defensively responded, “Don’t pressure me!” Sherry pulled back, not understanding why Daniel was upset. Finally, as Daniel’s laughs became more and more loud and obnoxious, Sherry asked to leave the restaurant even before their entrée arrived. Daniel yelled at her for “wrecking their perfect night out”. On the way to her apartment, they fought. As Daniel left her that night, he said, “I should never have bought a ring for tonight.”
The next day, Sherry told Daniel she was very upset about their date and wanted to take some time off. Suffering with a bad hangover and embarrassment from the night before, Daniel responded sarcastically, “Whatever! Why don’t you just start seeing other people while you are at it!” Daniel didn’t mean that at all! He couldn’t believe he said that! It damaged their relationship. A week later, the two broke up. To this day, Daniel regrets what transpired that night.
Have you ever said something you wish you could take back? In a moment of fiery emotion, have you blurted out something you later regretted deeply? Daniel’s wonderful relationship with Sherry was destroyed by words he never would have spoken if not for the influence of his medicine and the alcohol. When your guard is down, its all too easy to say something stupid, cruel, or damaging. It’s very important to “think before you speak”!
Today’s piece of wisdom from the book of Proverbs reaffirms the need to “think before you speak”. Proverbs 15:28 teaches that the heart of the righteous person “ponders how to answer”. The faithful are careful to consider the impact of their words. The second half of the scripture for today also adds that the wicked are adept at “pouring out evil” words. They do not hold back. Sometimes, they even enjoy the pain and anguish their ill-conceived words accomplish.
I would like to think that godly people are good at thinking before they speak. I have seen Christians use loving words to heal a broken heart or soothe a suffering soul. However, I’ve also witnessed Christians say some of the harshest, most vile, evil, and damaging things. Some of those words have been scornful. Some have been hateful. Some were intended to cause deep wounds. To be faithful to God, you need to consider your words. “Ponder” them as this scripture teaches. Take the time to weigh your words carefully before you utter them. Remember, you can never truly take back your words once they leave your mouth.
Never once in scripture do we see Jesus saying, “I said that, but I didn’t mean it!” Not once did Jesus attempt to take back his words. Jesus’ words were incredibly important, every one of them! For that reason, Jesus consistently weighed his words before speaking. He had no regrets after he spoke. He never once had to beg forgiveness for mistaken words uttered out of frustration, fear, weariness, or worry.
How well do you measure your words before speaking? Are you too quick to say something you later will regret? Being faithful to Jesus doesn’t just require godly actions. It requires thoughtful restraint! Out of a love of Christ, you need to carefully measure your words. With grace, you need to choose your words wisely. Otherwise, you will not only have regrets for what you said wrongly, you may poison how another person views the gospel!