10 Wise Rules

I meant to post this last night but instead had the opportunity to spend time with my Aunt Pam Goold, Uncle Bill Goold, Alice Marie (Goold) Driskell – Sorrell, David Sorrel and my husaband Scott Cleveland. Uncle Bill is visiting from out of state and we all met for dinner. What a time of blessing. Aunt Pam your peace, grace and joy will forever be a source of inspiration and awe. Steve was richly blessed to have you as his wife.

Rule #2) Words matter, so use them wisely.

Matt. 12:36 shares
‘But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken.’

I think of the adage we you to say when we were kids; “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Oh what a false statement that is. Words have power. I carry around lies I believe that were said to me when I was young. Things people said that I took to my soul and have to actively fight against on almost a daily basis. In fact on our way to dinner I was sharing something I was concerned about and a little afraid of with my husband and he said to me “ Teresa I don’t know why you listen to that tape in your head it is not true about you” and then proceeded to share with me what is true. Those were powerful words in a beautiful direction that spoke right to my heart and offered encouragement and growth. The tape I have played over and over again, empty words that I listen to all the time, those words kill my heart, my mind my soul, but still I play that tape.

I think though how many times have I spoken idle, empty words? Cruel and cutting sarcastic words that damage people’s lives? How many times have I heard them and carried them with me for years, for months or even if just for days. Think about that scripture and put it into our current culture. If we are to be held accountable for the words we say and the impact they have on the people we come in contact with, how many nails are putting into the hands and feet of Jesus on a daily basis? How many lives are we setting up to listen to harmful tapes?

What if we become as scripture advises ‘slow to speak’ instead? What if we really understand our tongue is a weapon of mass destruction? How about instead we stop, and use our words wisely to build one another up instead? What if not just doing the right thing we pause in order to say the right thing as well. May our actions and our words live in unity and strength? May we discipline our tongues with wisdom, love, mercy and guidance?

Please note, sometimes hard things need to be said but like the do the right thing rule, make sure when words are used for disciple, we cover them with love and compassion for the person and their hearts, say them in a way that doesn’t prove a point, but rather teaches, trains and can be heard. Hard words do need to be said, but they do not need to slash, rather they need to be handled like a surgeon working to remove a malignancy and promote healing not hurting.

Rule #2 – how wise will you be with your words today?