Oops, I Did It Again! I Talked Too Much!

Oh, dear Lord! When will I learn to “idle my engine in neutral for a while before I shift to drive”? I’m figuratively speaking about “thinking before I speak”. Sometimes I just talk too much!”The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21

The fact is….I have some opinions. I have some thoughts. I have an overabundance of words that beg to be spoken. And if I’m not careful those words can be too much. Maybe you can relate. Unchecked words that come too fast bring with them a rush of trouble. That’s why it’s important for us to consider some important “neutral” things about our words. You know the things to consider before we shift to DRIVE!

Listening should take precedence over speaking. Honestly, I think a lot of relationship troubles could be solved if we made the commitment to listen more than we speak. Oh my goodness – that’s hard to do – especially when I think my two cents worth will add so much to the conversation. All I can focus on is when I’m going to be able to jump in and say what’s screaming in my brain. Later I realize all that focus on my next words prevented me from really listening to what they were trying to say. Please, dear Lord. Help me to NOT interrupt. Please help me to wait for the true pause in the conversation and help me to REALLY HEAR what the other person was REALLY saying and answer with YOUR words, not mine. “To answer before listening — that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13.

Our words should be measured. Idle our engines before shifting to drive. In other words, we need to engage our brains before we engage our mouths. Just like when I’m considering a purchase and my bank account, I must consider how words will affect my relationship account. I can do this by thinking about how my words will come across and intentionally asking myself if there are better words that could be used in this conversation?
“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” Proverbs 18:2

What if it’s TOO LATE? I already spoke those words. How can I un-speak them? Did I really say that? Did THOSE words actually come out of my mouth? After all, I really do mean it when I prayed the scripture “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 The fact is, once words come out of my mouth I can’t gather them back in. It’s like once you squeeze too much toothpaste out, you can’t get it back into the tube. I can quickly say “I’m sorry.” I can ask for forgiveness. I can attempt to make the wrong right. But I can’t un-speak my words. “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21
If our greatest desires are to honor the Lord with every word we say and interaction we have, it is crucially important to keep in mind these thoughts. “Mouth. Tongue. Flesh. Shut up (literally)! You’re NOT the boss of me or my thoughts and opinions. God is my Boss and He gives me kind, considerate and thoughtful words to say!” That’s what I pray today. How about you?