Intelligent people think before they speak.
—Proverbs 16:23 TEV
Here’s a pocket prayer for you: “Dear God, teach me what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.”
What to say. Put your mind in gear before you put your mouth in motion. Plan it before you say it. Map it before you mouth it.
When to say it. Timing is important. Emotions are fragile. Words spoken in the heat of hostility do damage that can’t be undone. Once you’ve said it, it’s out of your control.
How to say it. Peter advises that our conversations should be governed by “gentleness and respect” (1 Pt 3:15). Paul agrees: “When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant” (Col 4:6 NCV).
Run your words through these three filters:
- What to say.
- When to say it.
- How to say it.
Lord, take control of my mind and my mouth.