“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14)

I have been checking out the recent Academy Award Best Picture nominees to determine which films I might want to see.  I was interested in viewing one of the movies with a well-known director and great cast.  That is, until I read an article in Variety that this picture has set the record for the most uses ever of a particular four-letter word. Actually the word is supposedly used 506 times, an average of nearly three times per minute.  I was talking with a friend about my decision not to see this movie.  Her response was that, no doubt, it was a realistic portrayal of the way some people talk.  Although I am sure that is true, I don’t need to support, let alone expose myself to this kind of vulgarity.

Recently I heard a talk show host saying that she learned from one of her friends that her nine-year-old son enjoys her Instagram communications.  The talk show host, who many times has declared her Christian beliefs, was taken back stating that her Instagram messages are not meant to be shared with someone so young.  Maybe she should pause and consider if what she is saying is that inappropriate, it might be better not to publicly share these thoughts at all.  The problem with most of us is that we frequently speak before we think.  Once the words are out, it’s hard to retrieve them, especially in today’s society where much of our communication is instantaneous. It might be best to “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”  (Psalm 141:3)

Emily Dickenson once wrote, “A word is dead when it is said. Some say. I say it just begins to live that day.”  As Christians, we would do well if we could step back, consider our soon-to-be expressed thoughts, and think how others might perceive them.  Doing so gives us the opportunity to examine our heart before we speak insensitive words that could perhaps be hurtful. Jesus said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”  (Matthew 12:36)

We live in a society of excess.  That excess is not only in our material possessions but also in the words that flow from our lips.  So, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.  God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”  (Ecclesiastes 5:2)  It comes down to this – when we allow the earthiness of our mouth to become part of our daily routine, it is difficult to wonder which of our statements might haunt us in our Hereafter.  Someone once prayed these thoughts: “Please God, make my words today sweet and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.”

REFLECTION:  Some people say, “If you say it with love, then it’s okay to say it.”  Can you think of instances where this might not be true?  If you’re looking to give up something during Lent, is it possible that your excess speech could be targeted?  Is there a way that you can filter your communication, in order to be a more effective witness?

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