Title

Not Every Thought Is To Be Spoken

Scripture
We all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
(James 3:2)
Devotional
We will inevitably throughout life make wrong choices, bad decisions, and numerous errors. However, if we can keep from stumbling in our words, we can prove to be more than mature. The apostle James tells us that if we control our words, we control every aspect of our being. The scriptures give clear guidance: “He who has knowledge spares his words . . . Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”(1) “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.”(2) “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”(3) We will without doubt have various troublesome thoughts. Nevertheless, let us check those thoughts at the door of our minds. Let’s repent of them before they get to our mouths. Repentance in the mind and heart is much less painful than having to repent from that which has already been spoken. It is one thing to think it, but quite another to say it.

(1) Proverbs 17:27-28, (2) James 1:19, (3) Proverbs 10:19