We all experience shortages in some things from time to time. In just the last couple of years, Americans were complaining about a shortage of such important items as gasoline and toilet paper. But there’s one thing we don’t lack in America today. And that is opinions.
There is most certainly no shortage of opinions these days.
We live in the Age of Information and that includes the Age of Expression. Everyone wants to express themselves because everyone has something — usually a lot of things — to say. Of course, this doesn’t mean that what people say is always accurate or helpful. But that never stops people from pontificating. When we have something to say, we’re gonna say it!
And this is one of many areas in which the Bible goes against the culture and against human nature itself.
According to the Bible, we’re supposed to be cautious, wise, gentle, and patient in our speech and expression.
Yeah, I’m not seeing a lot of that today.
Still, the Bible is clear. Here are just a few verses on the subject (all in the classic King James Version):
- Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)
- Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. (Proverbs 21:23)
- Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:1-2)
- Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)
- Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:6)
- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
- If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. (James 1:26)
- For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. (I Peter 3:10)
When it comes to our attitudes toward others and how we treat others, the principles in the preceding passages should be our guide. Our expression should glorify and please God. And it should help others.
No matter how strongly you feel about the opinions you wish to express, you need to avoid “corrupt communication,” incorporate “grace” into your words, and strive to “edify” or build up those with whom you speak. Everything you do and say should be driven by love and offered in the context of humility.
Do I always live up to this standard myself? Of course not, but I do believe I’m a whole lot better than I used to be. I am in a work-in-progress, and that’s the goal: PROGRESS.
And when I leave this life, I want people to remember me as a man who loved God, loved his family, loved the people in my life, and who tried to please God and help others in my communication and expression.
How do YOU want to be remembered?
While God gives us life on this fallen world, and on this side of eternity, may our prayer be as the psalmist: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
