When I first started teaching several years ago, one of my mentors, Rick Myers, told me that I was more likely to say something "wrong" as a teacher than a student due to the amount of talking as a teacher verses the amount of listening as a student. Rick went on to say that when I recognized a mistake, seek forgiveness, correct what I can and move on. Good advice.
Matthew 12:37 NKJV For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
It wasn't a year later that I said something in a training class that I really regretted. Ironically, the students were all thinking about what I said and most expressed that I was correct in the statement I made, however I was the idiot who said it. There was a person in this class who did not like me (sadly lots still) that ran to tell my Captain, instead of my Sergeant who was just around the corner and this person knew it!? I didn't even get a mile down the road when my Captain paged me - it wasn't pretty. Years later I found that even my Captain agreed with my statement but it should not have left my lips?
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
If you have ever violated the above scripture with angry, hurtful, foolish, ignorant or arrogant words - I am feeling OUR pain again...
1 Samuel 2:3 NKJV Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
Let us make this our prayer;
Psalms 19:14 NKJV Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
If you have ever violated the above scripture with angry, hurtful, foolish, ignorant or arrogant words - I am feeling OUR pain again...
1 Samuel 2:3 NKJV Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
Let us make this our prayer;
Psalms 19:14 NKJV Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Awesome Ernie!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great work! I really like following your articles and the comments.
I incorporate those very scriptures in my prayers each day! Just as you said, words are so hurtful and damaging, and have lasting effects.
I goof up, just as we all do, but to be more conscious of it, and to pray for God's help to avoid making careless statements, makes us much more likely to succeed in letting no unwholesome word proceed from our mouths.
I hope many will read your articles!
I so need to learn to tame my tongue.
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