Those who are careful about what they say
keep themselves out of trouble.
—Proverbs 21:23
I flew into town to speak for the annual fundraising dinner and was met by the director, who was hot under the collar. His board had made a decision that infuriated him. He would be emceeing tonight’s function and told me he was going to say some things they weren’t going to like. Did he ever! He went ballistic. The intended festive celebration was a disaster.
He was a capable administrator but had a volatile temper that fueled an uncontrolled tongue, keeping the organization in a cauldron of chaos.
Words matter.
“Let your speech always be gracious” (Col 4:6).
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (Jas 1:19).
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps 141:3).
Do your words help or hurt?