Words

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
WORDS
Prov 12:18
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
NIV
I do not think there is any question that in the heat of a disagreement I have been guilty of some reckless words. Now maybe not the type of words which are actually reckless in the sense of calling someone a bad name, or defaming them in some way, but I have said things I wish I had not. I do find it very difficult to not say something when I know full well in the mind that I am in the right and they are in the wrong. But nevertheless I most likely should just keep my words to myself, although I do not think my words are really reckless, but more defensive in nature. I believe I am only trying to make the truth a reality. I think this saying is really speaking to words which are said without thinking, or words which cause harm to another person, such as gossip, or backbiting words which defame the character of a person. I do not believe I am guilty of this. But at the same time I am not sure I am saying words of healing either, although the truth about daily things as well as the truth about God should be healing. I do not understand how standing up for the truth could be reckless, yet maybe it is the way I do that might be considered wrong by some, but it is not reckless in the sense of this saying. I do get stubborn about what I know is right. But that is not reckless yet it also is not healing. So I have some more work to do on my inner being. I have some more growing to do. I am not sure how I can keep silent in the middle of a wrong, but I think I need to work more on how I voice my words. I might need to be a little less passionate in my verbalization of the truth. I do not know I to do that, unless I become somebody I am not. God made me with passion, so I can I not have it when I speak about issues I know to be truth. I simply am not a meek mild mannered Mr. milk toast kind of guy. If that is the kind of person God had wanted me to be he would have created me that way, but he did not an I am not. So I have to deal with who I am but at the same time making sure in my passion for the truth I am not reckless with my words.