Use Your Tongue Wisely

God has given each of us a tongue: a simple, basic tool to help us encourage one another. It has been given to all—young and old, rich and poor, wise and foolish. It is a tool we can use to discourage or encourage. Too often we use our tongue to tear people down rather than build them up. And it is in the closest relationships that we are usually the most critical. Criticism given in the wrong spirit undermines a person’s self-esteem. And it can make that person become critical of others too!

We also hurt people with our ridicule and sarcasm. “What makes you think you’re so smart?” or “That’s the stupidest question I’ve ever heard.” Laughing at another’s mistakes, making fun of a person and labeling them as “a klutz,” “lazy,” “sloppy,” “stupid,” or “fatty” may get a laugh from others, and even from the victim, but such words often leave painful wounds.

We can discourage people by trying to show off our superior knowledge. Sometimes we hurt them just by talking too much and leaving them no time to express themselves. It gives the impression that what they have to say is relatively unimportant compared to our words of wisdom. So each day you need to pray for guidance and then let God tell you what to say.