Why Are You Glad to See Me?
“Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.”
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Last night at a neighborhood outreach event, I stood outside the door of the community room, welcoming folks as they arrived.
A youth approached who looked to be around 12 years old.
“I’m so glad to see you!” I said as I gave him a fist bump.
“Why are you glad to see me?” He asked.
Hmmm… Why am I glad to see him? Was I just looking at him as a number, one more person attending, or was I glad to see his smiling face?
Trying to think quickly, I said something like “Because it’s a good day and we are here to have a good time!”
That got me thinking. How many times do I say things without thinking about what I’m saying?
Scripture says our words are important. Here are some examples:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; it is set on fire by hell.”
James 3:5-6
Jesus drove the point home when He said:
“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:34-37
I must admit… The last one kind of scares me.
So, how can we know what to say? Ask the LORD to help you.
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Psalms 141:3
I’m reminded of something my mom said several times. “If you don’t have anything nice to say… Don’t say anything at all!” Words to live by…
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”Colossians 4:6
