[un]-controlled speech

One of my friends at work was telling me a story the other day and after telling me she promptly asked my opinion.  After asking my opinion, she stopped me and asked herself out loud...
"Will I be able to handle your answer?"
I was shocked.  Not really shocked, but taken off guard.  I pride myself in telling the truth.  If you ask me a question, my opinion, anything... I will be unashamedly honest with you.  Even if you don't agree - I am still telling you my opinion or answering your question and I believe with every ounce of my being that I am being honest with you.  
I answered her question, I gave her my opinion and used several examples to support my opinion (what can I say, my dad is a lawyer - supporting your claims with evidence runs in my blood I guess...).  
She was not happy.  Not only was she not expecting my answer, her feelings were kind of hurt, not by what I said - but by what was being said about her.  
I had to step back and ask myself if it was worth it.  Was it worth sharing those things with her, knowing she might not take it well?  Was it worth hurting my friend to tell the truth?  I'll answer it for you.  No.  

God's WORD says:

"Don't use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be encouragement to those who hear them."  Eph. 4:29 GOD'S WORD
"Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent.  He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed."  Proverbs 17:29 GOD'S WORD

We need to be remembering to THINK before we speak. 

Source: HomegrownHospitality.typepad.com

THINK. It's Simple.  Is it Truthful, Helpful, Inspirational, Necessary, and Kind.  I LOVE THIS.  I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you because we all need little reminders sometime.  

Prior to Ephesians 4:29, the WORD says "You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created God's likeness - righteous, holy, and true.  And don't sin by letting anger gain control over you.  Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a might foothold to the Devil."

As humans we will sin.  It's inevitable.  But why do we sin?  We sin because the Devil targets our mouth and our testimony.  He tries to make you as unreliable as possible so that you don't spread the kingdom.  Did you know that your mouth and your actions have that kind of impact?  

You can expand Christ's Heavenly Kingdom with your words and actions.  


WOW.  
Can you tell Satan no?  Can you control your tongue?  James 3:5 says "The tongue is the smallest part of the body, but it can make the most damage."  We have to learn to control our tongue, to be able to ask those 5 questions before speaking.  If you can accomplish that, you can greatly influence Satan's hold on your life and in turn increase the Kingdom. 


Sometimes it is more important to be KIND than RIGHT. We do not need to be an intelligent mind that speaks but a PATIENT heart that LISTENS.


Be encouraged today!