We all hold a powerful weapon within us.

It influences every part of the world we inhabit. Touches every person we meet.

Our weapon is our words.

Capable of being used to destroy or protect. To ruin, or stand guard alongside people.

Why should you talk less and listen more?

The power of our speech is made clear in James 3:1-12.

…if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way

…a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.  And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire

… but no one can tame the tongue…sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.¹⁰ And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

How can I speak less and listen more?

We will likely be around people today. When we open our mouths we have the ability to bless them with words that leave them better than we found them.

We can comfort and soothe and encourage. We can choose to compliment them,  just to make them know they are seen.

If you want to get over a problem, stop talking about it. Your mind affects your mouth and your mouth affects your mind. It’s difficult to stop talking about a situation until you stop thinking about it-  Joyce Meyer

We can recognize their abilities and empower them. We can offer words of love and hope for the suffering.

We can surround them with the promises of Jesus.

We can speak less and listen more; that one thing will change our world.

The damaging alternative of speaking without filters

Or, we can criticize and point out flaws. We can be indignant and self-righteous to prove we are right, which means they are wrong.

We can compliment ourselves and become fools with our own flattery.

We can offer flippant cliché’s when time is short and someone shares their burdens. We can belittle our children and spouses and see them shrink and become less of their magnificent selves.

We can joke around with people, at their expense and find humor while they cringe.

We have two ears and one mouth and we should use them proportionally- Susan Cain

We have the choice with every word to encourage or discourage

Words are weapons. One choice is to use them against people as if they were an enemy to destroy.

The other option is to stand guard against the enemy of the world, who seeks to destroy.  Our words can sustain and protect.

That is powerful.

For maximum impact, listen more and speak less–Willow Bay

What will we choose today?  If already the speech from our mouths is slanderous and hurtful, it is the right time to stop and fix it. The tongue has the incredible gift of healing as well as hurting.

A humble tongue, gentle speech can be the most powerful weapon we’ll ever hold.

Resources about our words:

• The Power of a Woman’s Words: How the Words You Speak Shape the Lives of Others
• Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue
• You Talk Too Much: A Wife’s Guide To Becoming A Silent Warrior
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