W.a.i.t. a Second: How Managing Your Tongue Will Change Your Life.
This journey, seven, eight years of learning and applying and sharing, is a great joy in my life, and I hope that you find it beneficial to you.
Season 8, Episode 9 · W.A.I.T. a Second - How managing your tongue will change your life.
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
The story behind the idea
The intentions of your heart become measurable and impactful on the world, on your family, on everyone, not just by what you're thinking, but when that becomes words. The book of James warns that the tongue is this powerful, powerful thing that can help you control your whole life or can set every single piece of property around you on fire. The tongue is a restless evil in that it always carries that potential. If we don't learn to be patient and intentional always with our words, then we may end up doing more damage than good.
What stands out
Chapter 18, verse 21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Then chapter 21, verse 23, He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles. Again, there are other passages, and when you come upon them, you'll want to add them into the chain.
Why it matters
Please don't be one of those people who says people shouldn't judge me on the words that I say and the things that I post. They can determine who you are by that metric, but you got to be honest with yourself.
A faithful way forward
Ignoring the fact that sometimes what they're saying might not be the truth, the manner in which you say it is according to the truth. The patience and gentleness and love that we show in the likeness of Jesus is just as important as the words that you're saying. Things like sarcasm or anger or some shortness or method of saying it where they know you don't mean it. A fun little exercise I do with those who are engaged is we take the term I'm sorry.
Put it into practice
I'll give you a quick example, and then we need to wrap this up. Yesterday in the afternoon, I was playing golf with my 14-year-old son, and he was getting very upset. First few holes did not go his way, and he is a super emotional dude.
Take the idea with you.
- 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
- 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
- 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.