James 1:19-20. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” HOW YOU SPEAK. The words can be right and the motive right, when I stop to talk with my friend; But for me to say what needs to be said, my ears must to his voice bend. When I am about to communicate truth, or correction, or whatever I believe is right; There is more than my mouth and my mind that’s involved: there is vision, and thought and sight.
To communicate well, begins with love that shows; I must want what is best for my brother. The actions of the past lend power to words, when the time comes to talk to one another. If it is evident to him that I want what is best; my caring is really consistent; Then he will consider my words and the way they are given; he will know – and he’ll truly listen.
My brother and friend, will know he can say, what he needs to, and I will hear what he means. To be able to speak of what has burdened his heart, will help him more than it seems – For in the temptations of life that conspire together, to bring ruin to a life that is true; The listening ear of one you can trust; gives relief as the past you review.
And then when it’s my turn to speak from my heart, all that my brother needs to hear; By the tone of my voice, and expressions of face; he will be convinced that I really do care. I won’t dump on him a torrent of words that will seem to pour out like a flood; But with slow and deliberate words I will give, what has come to me from the Lord.
Even though there may be, issues arise from me, that could create serious anger in us; I’m responsible to God, to keep under my wrath that would lead me to say things not just. Provocative words, inflections and tones, or even the look on my face; Could make a thing worse than really it is, if my truth is not seasoned with grace.
The ways of the Lord, and His righteousness too, are not right when spoken in wrath. His truth and His grace, will finally bring peace, when His truth is mingled with faith. God is not honored nor His Gospel work furthered, when I use truth as a hammer on men; For it is Christ-likeness seen in the face of a friend, that will cause a hearer to listen to him.
I need to make sure that all I will say, has the promise of God’s blessing on it; God can use words spoken with love from the heart, when those words to the issues do fit. Deeds and words go like a hand in a glove, we need both to accomplish the task. When spoken and done in the way God intends, He will make the right come to pass.
“Father of truth and grace: I am more conscious than ever that what I say has no real value if I say things in a wrong way. It must be that I speak as my Savior spoke – with gracious words. Yet those gracious words did not always bring comfort, but did bring change and light and life. Help me please, to keep my tongue inside my face with my lips closed until I am sure that what I say will be a help and profit to the hearers. I pray this sincerely and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.