Read Proverbs 25:11

4x or 5x per day – Yes, four or five times a day, when you feel like saying something negative to your loved one or others, don’t say it.

4x or 5x per day.

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” 

Proverbs 10:19

Toby Mac is a musician who wrote Jesus Freak in 1995, a very fun song about standing up for belief in Jesus Christ in the midst of persecution. Another song that Toby recently wrote is Speak Life: (see  YouTube.com)

“Some days life feels perfect
Other days, it just ain’t workin’
The good, the bad, the right, the wrong
And everything in between.
Yo it’s crazy, amazing
We can turn our heart through the words we say
Mountains crumble with every syllable
Hope can live or die
So speak life, speak life.”

By listening to music like this, it reminds me how wise it is to try to hold my tongue at times and speak words to loved ones or others that are positive.

The self-fulfilling prophecy: As a parent, I need to speak life towards my child. If the child is good at math, I need to tell him or her over and over again, “You are really good at math. Keep up the great work.” Sincere compliments and support give kids confidence. But, if I constantly say that my child is foolish and he or she hears it, then she may truly become foolish and out of control as an adult. So let’s speak life to our kids. Hold the tongue regarding negatives.

“He who answers before listening – that is his folly and shame.”

Proverbs 18:13

Part of holding the tongue is patience, where I can use my two ears and not my one mouth. James, a brother of Jesus, says to be quick to listen and slow to speak. He says to be slow to become angry because this is when you may say something you regret. And that does not bring the righteous life that God desires from us. It is part of humility and wisdom – thinking before speaking.

So hold your tongue.

4x or 5x per day.

You can do it.

Tom Weckesser