[277 words]
I recently read about an interesting series of questions to ask yourself before saying anything to another person. The idea is to make sure that you speak properly at the proper time. The three questions to ask are:
- Does this need to be said?
- Does this need to be said by me?
- Does this need to be said by me, right now?
The idea is to ask them in your mind in succession. If at any point the answer is “No” then you should not say anything. I like this concept and am going to try to implement it into my speech from now on.
We do need to give a lot more thought prior to speaking. As Christians, our words should be ones that build up and not tear down – words that help rather than hurt. This is God’s desire for our mouths.
Consider the following passages:
- Proverbs 15:4, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
- Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”
- Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
- Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
- Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
If we would give a little more thought before speaking, then it is much more likely we will say the right words at the right time.
Edd Sterchi
Broadway church of Christ
Campbellsville, KY