Need a muzzle?

by Sonia Robinson

The Word:
"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 12:36)

The Story:
Occasionally, I will use a nail gun to hang a picture on the wall or mend a fence, and I often realize the nails are not aligned. I get so frustrated because I then have to remove the nails. While the nails can be easily removed - the holes remain. When I see those holes, I’m reminded of the void that’s created when we hurt others with our words or sever relationships as a result of selfishness and pride.

The Reflection:
Have you ever wished you had a muzzle? At times I've wondered if some of the things I’ve said were really necessary. While I’ve tried to convince myself that my words and deeds were diplomatic, tactful or witty, the reality is they were not always godly. I haven't always allowed the Holy Spirit to speak through me. Unfortunately, sometimes my criticisms left friends and loved ones stunned and hurt.

The Application:
The Bible has countless scriptures about the tongue and how we should speak. I've perused many and committed them to memory as a reminder of how powerful our words are. Not only are words powerful enough to bring life or death but they reflect our heart (the heart of a righteous man studies how to answer). Think about the things you’ve said in the past or even today. Has anyone been hurt by your words? This week, I challenge you to apologize to someone you’ve hurt or offended for being careless with your words. Reach out to that person and begin mending that relationship.

The Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for allowing me to see my imperfections. Thank you for revealing your word in such a manner that I may understand and embrace it. I pray my words are used to restore, love, and encourage others. I also pray that my courage, honesty and humility are strengthened each day.