Have you ever said things that you later regretted? I expect we all have. Do you listen to others and through their speech see things about them you like or dislike? I have and as a result I see that our speech can make us appear small or large, now I pay more attention as to what I am about to say and how I am going to say it
Psalm 55:21
His speech was smoother than butter,
But his heart was war.
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords
Some people are hard to listen to; they say things in such a way it is like caulk on a blackboard, words can be very demanding, also very abusive. I have noticed this in families between man and wife and often with the children. Words become clubs that we beat on each other with. Speech reveals to others whether we are filled with life or death.
I hope and pray that I am not one of those that are filled with violence.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.
. Some folks I really enjoy listening to; it is like grace, or a taste of good wine, it doesn’t seem to matter so much what the subjects are there words are so filled with life and peace. I really enjoy listening to some of the travel logs as they talk about the distant lands and the people.
Through speech you can detect a gentle soul, a loving heart, a person of peace. It can also reveal an angry man, a bitter resentful soul, a hard unforgiving heart.
Our ability to speak is a wonderfully blessing, but it sure gives us away to the rest of the world. On our ongoing spiritual journey, we should find changes in our speech.