THINK BEFORE TALKING!!!

Think before you speak,
    and be careful about what you say to God.
God is in heaven,
    and you are on the earth,
    so say only a few words to God.
The saying is true: Bad dreams come from too much worrying,
    and too many words come from foolish people.

If you make a promise to God, don’t be slow to keep it. God is not happy with fools, so give God what you promised. It is better not to promise anything than to promise something and not do it. Don’t let your words cause you to sin, and don’t say to the priest at the Temple, “I didn’t mean what I promised.” If you do, God will become angry with your words and will destroy everything you have worked for. Many useless promises are like so many dreams; they mean nothing. You should respect God.

 Ecclesiastes 5:2-7

I like to observe people.  People are fascinating to me.  Especially those who have some quirks.  But one of the quirks I have noticed becoming more and more prevalent is talking without thinking.  Let's face it, people like to talk.  Let's also face the cold hard truth that people don't like to think.  Whatever is on their mind is coming out like a bull at a rodeo!

Sadly, many of those who speak without thinking seem to be pretty proud of that fact.  One person I recently spoke with boldly told me, "I'm straight up saying what is on my mind and if people don't like it that's THEIR problem, not mine!"  Hmmmmm.......so by that logic, I can destroy someone's reputation because I say whatever is on my mind....and that's okay?  I can ruin someone's marriage because I say whatever I am thinking....and that's not MY problem?

But what we say IS our problem!  Why?  Remember the very words of Christ recorded in Matthew 7:12: "Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets."  If you don't want it said about you, then don't say it about anyone else!!!  How difficult is that?  

God created us with a brain.  That brain is more than just a way to keep our ears apart!  That brain is to be used to think about what we are saying or doing and how that will hurt or help others.   But we like to blame everyone else when we are the ones who caused the damage because we spoke without thinking.  

Speak truth!  Not the "truth" we want others to believe, but the clear truth before God!  If you were standing before God and He would render the verdict as to the truth of your words, would your words meet HIS standard?

And yet all it takes is THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!  

Ask yourself, is what I am about to release from my mouth:

•  Helpful?
• Encouraging?
• Uplifting?
• Truth?

If not, then is shouldn't be spoken.  Remember, if you don't want it said about you.....