Has it ever happened to you to say the wrong thing and regret it as soon as the words tumbled out of your mouth?

Well, we are all guilty of that. We see renowned people, politicians making statements or affirmations, and going back through press conferences to take back what they said or correct it as there was a negative impact on people. Couples break up, because of hurtful words, and best friends drift apart because of careless words.

The tongue has not only been the source of a lot of pain, anguish, regrets, but also a source of encouragement. The tongue is the hardest part of the body that we can tame or keep under control.

The Bible warns us of the dangers of the tongue in James 3:5-6 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

The tongue as small as it is, should not be undermined, as it can cause great damage to others and to ourselves. A wise man said, it’s no wonder God created us with two ears and one mouth, so that we may be we quick to listen and slow to speak.

Whatever works for you to slow down and filter what you spit out as words, do it! If it means turning your tongue seven times before you speak or counting in your head as others do before you speak, please do it. The stakes are high when it come to a loose tongue, and the damages may be irreparable in some cases.

The tongue has it’s positives as well. Children believe their parents when they encourage them and tell them that sky is their limit. They can do anything if we feed them with positive words. Think of healing words to a grieving or broken heart.

In the same way that we hurt others through our words, others may say hurtful words to us. We need to protect ourselves by not believing in the toxic words others say about us, especially if we have examined ourselves and seen they are wrong in what they accuse us.

Prov 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it( the tongue) will eat of it’s fruit.

Choose to speak life today in someone’s life. Practice speaking positive things and this will help you in controlling your tongue. Ask yourself how will what I am about to say impact my listeners: then choose your words carefully.