Don’t Speak Rashly

From the fruit of her lips a [woman] enjoys good things,but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.He who guards his lips guards his life,but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

Proverbs 13:2-3 (NIV)

Ladies, this is a good word for us. We will never be women of graciousness and honor until we get this area of our lives completely under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s proverb warns us: don’t speak rashly. To speak rashly is to speak whatever you feel like speaking, with no restraint, with no thought or care. Don’t do that. Don’t ever do that. As Will Rogers said, “People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.”

Moms, we have to remember that children learn what they live. If you are quick to vent anger at your kids, or husband, or the clerk at the store, it will backfire on you. Either those around you will shut down, or you will see your kids “acting out” your behavior.

Many kids learn a lot about their parents’ faith as they ride in the backseat going to and from church. Do they hear bickering and tension going to church, but then see another face presented as they walk in the church door? Do they hear criticism and gossip as they ride home? This is confusing and disappointing. James 1:26 tells us, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself, and his religion is worthless” (NIV).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

I have a friend who was a screamer as a young mother. As a Christian, she knew it was wrong. So she felt constantly condemned. But she couldn’t stop. Just one spilled glass of milk would set her off. She was desperate and cried out to God for help. Then she heard a teaching on the Holy Spirit. She learned that he could give her strength that was beyond her own. That very day she desperately cried out to God, asking him to come and fill her with his supernatural power—and he did.

Do you feel helpless to change? Will you sit down right now and cry out to God? Ask him to fill you will his dynamite power, knowing he will, because he promised.

One Year Bible Reading

Joshua 7:16–9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3