January 10

Written by Bill Grandi on January 10th, 2019

I’ve had several thoughts running through my head this morning due to my reading. Thoughts from G.C.Morgan on a famine in the land (I’ll come back to that). Thoughts on leadership abuse from authoritarian leadership from 46 Stones by Arthur. Thoughts on slogging through reading Leviticus. But two verses really “spoke to my heart” this morning.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Ps.19:14) It is funny how this verse stood out to me among the powerhouse chapter in Psalms.

And among many verses in Proverbs 10 about integrity and speech was this: “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”  (v,19)

Several weeks ago I spoke out of school. While talking to someone about why they were attending elsewhere and didn’t say anything to me (we are friends), she told me what someone said to her husband. He took offense. I jumped on his bandwagon and proceeded to say something about the person who said something. it wasn’t too long after I left her that conviction hit. Long story short I texted her and asked to speak to her that afternoon if she was going to be around. I apologized for saying what I did and then defended the other person by suggesting she and her husband give that person “the benefit of the doubt” that that person noticed her husband’s discomfort and tried to help. Often the other person has no filter, but maybe the heart was in the right place this time.

My words in the first incident were ill-timed and not acceptable; the second much more healing and acceptable. I should have restrained my lips better. The only right thing I did was to apologize and try to smooth things over. But how much better it would have been if I had been more prudent and either kept my mouth shut or defended that person the first time.

“Father, guard my speech. Let it be the speech of the wise. May today be one of restraint, wisdom and being acceptable in your sight.”

 

3 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S says:

    Good wisdom this morning…
    Restraining my lips… and area I think all could benefit from.
    To bring it forward into today… restraining ones hands (as they type posts in the various social media platforms). I believe restraint is appropriate their as well.

    Thanks for the reminder this morning!
    Ryan S

  2. Wonderful advice for all of us, Bill. I still cringe when I recall those times I let loose with my lips and sank my fair share of ships. Also, Psalm 19:14 is where the title for my blog came from, so it is one of my favorites!
    Blessings!

  3. floyd samons says:

    That takes a wise and humble person to do what you did in the end, Bill. Those are the actions of a wise man of God.