Times have changed from the old days when women were more careful and restrained with their speech. Today we are encouraged to vent and not think twice about what we say, not considering that it might hurt others. We have fallen from gracious speech to unrestrained speech unwittingly tearing down those in our path.
We need to be careful and examine out hearts before speaking. Is this building up? It this a legitimate concern? Am I accusing people without knowing the full story? Am I judging from a prideful heart?
Our words expose us for what we really are. They say when you falsely point a finger at someone, three more are pointing right back at you.
With the onset of internet access we have even more opportunity to "share" our thoughts and opinions in a split second, but it should never be done with out taking into consideration a few things.
1. Do I know the whole story?
2. Am I making assumptions of which I am unsure of?
3. Is this person having a bad day, week, or year? If they are, and I should give them the benefit of the doubt--can I extend grace?
4. Am I overly sensitive? Did I misunderstand something and fly off the handle or accuse too quickly? Am I prone to taking things wrong or handling criticism improperly?
5. Am I being a busy body putting my nose into other peoples business? I will also add, are we taking care of our own business at home?
6. Can I offer a kind word instead of a harsh one, even if I think the person deserves the latter? Is this an opportunity to build up?
7. Is what I am saying lining up with scripture? Am I honoring God with what I am saying?
Christian women should be known to have "the law of kindness of her tongue". That doesn't mean we are perfect, we will fail and are children will too (there is no one perfect except Christ), but we need to be careful that we are not jumping the gun in how we respond to others or circumstances in our life.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
“A quick-tempered man does foolish things” Proverbs 14:17
“An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.” Proverbs 29:22
"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." Matthew 15:18
"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." Matthew 15:18
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Proverbs 10:19
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8 comments:
I love this, it could be written "think before you type" :)
It frustrates me so much when I see the judging and hate that is so apparent online today.
Great reminder! Thank you!
The online world is definitely one that generations before us did not have to deal with but thankfully God's Word still covers what we need to know to deal with that and everything else today. When we get frustrated, we need to pray more--its much more effective!
Many blessings...
Your welcome, Jessica!
Many blessings...
In this day of social media, people seem to throw caution (and good sense) to the wind when posting on FaceBook. Some women write about the misbehaving things and poor choices of their children. How will those children feel if, when they are older, they should happen to read what their mother said about them years earlier? This breaks my heart. This is a timely post. Thank you for writing it.
I love that..."think before you type" :)
For all the negatives of the internet, (and I do agree with all your points, June), I do find that being able to delay responses to emails gives me time to think and not respond so hastily rather than if a conversation were in person. I have such a hard time with that. Sometimes I will even write a response (more for myself to help me work through icky feelings) then delete it, so it is never sent.
I was raised in an unbelieving Italian American family who "vented" everything all the time, so this area is definitely one that I have to consciously work on all the time because it is an ingrained habit. It did help when I became a believer, and the more I study His Word, the better. :)
I fear those who need this most aren't the ones reading your ever so enlightening & lovely blog. We use your blog as a starting point in the days schooling/studies at times, because your words are so helpful! Thank you from a reader who is grateful for the internet...even though there are those who use it with ill intentions.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverb 16:24
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