Outrunning the mouth

            “You can’t outrun your mouth.” I heard this comment in reference to diet and exercise; meaning you can’t exercise your way out of poor eating habits. However, I think this applies to the spoken word as well. Perhaps this one will ring a bell; “Open mouth, insert foot and chew vigorously.” How many times have you said something that has come back to haunt you? It might be something said innocently enough but has been skewed by another to be offensive. Or even worse, your words are spoken to another through another, wrongly; like playing telephone, who truly knows what each person said or heard? The spoken word is something you can never get back and those sound waves keep vibrating in the atmosphere and ringing in the ears. You know this all too well if you have ever been on the receiving end of harsh criticism or insult.

            I prefer the written word over the spoken because it gives me the opportunity to review and revise before sharing. Not that I can’t find trouble in the written too. It allows me to think first. If only each of us would take the time to think and consider the effect of our words before speaking them. When I encounter someone who talks a lot or feels the need to explain everything, their motives become suspect as though they are trying to camouflage their behavior.  Ecclesiastes 5:3 “A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.” comes to mind.

            Some questions to ask oneself prior to speaking include; is it kind, is it necessary, is it beneficial, is the information truly valuable to the person I am speaking to? We all can work a little harder at being active listeners too; an active listener is one who truly hears what the other person is saying without formulating a response while they are still speaking. We have two ears and one mouth perhaps for that very purpose. Focus on being an active listener also serves the purpose of not speaking too much or too soon. Matthew 5:37 “All you need to say is simply ‘yes’ or ‘no’; anything beyond this is from the evil one.” There are times further explanation is needed however, probably not as often as we think.

            Are we sharing valuable information or pleading our own cause? Often in the pleading we appear even more guilty. Is there a real need to defend our behavior or our words? It is a great blessing to have the ability to be comfortable in the silence. This is an ability that can be developed and is worth learning. Words that should be spoken often and sincerely are gentle, encouraging, comforting, guiding and always spoken in love.

            Beauty tip: For attractive lips; speak words of kindness!