Casual Conversations
How many times have you casually uttered something without any thought, only to regret it later? I have had far too many “mouth mishaps” to count, but one memorable incident stands out in my mind. Many years ago, I worked in the customer service industry. If you have ever worked in the business sector, then you know that attentiveness and making the customer feel at ease is extremely important. Inevitably, this involves a bit of casual conversation.
One day as I was completing a transaction for a young lady, I blurted out “When is the baby due?” She chuckled and replied “Oh, I’m not expecting, I’m just fat”. I have since learned that you should never assume a woman is an expectant mother until she is in the delivery room. Even though the customer smiled and giggled, I sometimes wonder how my assumption impacted her. Did my words echo when she looked in the mirror? Was her self-esteem negatively impacted? In my haste to speak, did I cause undue harm? That day, the old proverbial saying “he that restrains is lips is wise” proved to be true (Proverbs 10:19 NKJV).
What is the Message?
What you say can be extremely beneficial or severely detrimental. In fact, words are so important that every idle word you speak will someday be accounted for (Matthew 12:36). When you truly understand the magnitude of what you say, you will be mindful of what you say. Consider the Old Testament hero Samson. While he is among the last leaders who judged Israel, he is perhaps best known for revealing the secret of his great strength to the famed Delilah.
It is natural to assume that as a judge, he would have enough wisdom to recognize the woman he loved was being bribed, and would ultimately betray him. Instead, he eventually divulged the source of his power and suffered great consequences. Proverbs 13:3 reminds us that “those who control their tongue will have long life; ‘but’ opening your mouth can ruin everything”. Therefore, “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:6 NLT). As always, remember as you navigate through the busyness of your day, be sure to listen for God’s messages in the moment.