Sorry - I Did Not Mean To Say That
Posted on March 29, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking
Some folks find this out sooner than others and others are found out sooner or later. We are answerable for the words which come from our mouths.
Recently I was asked to speak to a hundred and twenty young people on ‘Bad Mouthing’, then this problem was subsequently raised in a radio interview. There is a lot careless talk and many are totally unaware of the affect this can have on the lives of those around us. These young folk listened most attentively and it can only be hoped that what was said made each individual take time to think.
The words we speak can have an immense influence upon people - away beyond what we could ever imagine.
Teachers or parents, in particular, can squash potential by saying - “You will never make anything of life. You will never get anywhere.”
The tongue has the power of life and death. Our tongue is likened to the rudder of a ship. It is small, and can steer you to safety, or run you aground on dangerous rocks. Our tongue can be a spark, which sets a forest on fire.
How often do we hear - “O I did not mean that!”?
The tongue is powerful. That is why we are urged to use it with great care.
Friends can be lost in a moment by saying something which is later regretted.
Jesus Christ warns that one day we will be answerable for every careless word. There will be no point in saying, “I didn’t intend to say what slipped out of my mouth on that occasion.” That is why God put it in His Word. He wants to teach us. He wants us to be informed. He does not want us to remain ignorant regarding this important area of life.
Jesus also teaches that what comes out of a man’s mouth can make him unclean, as the mouth is the overflow of what is in the heart. Many are unaware that it is what come out of their mouth that indicates what type of character they are. Now, this is serious.
Caution is sounded when it comes to obscene foolish talk and coarse joking.
These are just out of place - no matter the company, or time of day.
There is no watershed when it comes to sinful talk. In Scotland, the television authorities consider it all right to use foul filthy language after what is called the 9pm watershed. With God there is no watershed. If there is, then show me it in His Holy Perfect Word.
How many leaders wish they had exercised more care when it came to the words they used when they thought they were not being overheard or recorded? Then, one day someone exposes everything and careless words result in such embarrassment.
It would be difficult to overemphasise the importance of the words we use - when people are listening, and when we think no one hears. Let no-one think he can get away with it!
Sandy Shaw
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children’s Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled “Word from Scotland” on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
Sandy Shaw
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com
Tags: Conversation, Example, Language, Leaders, speaking, Tongue
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