Did I really need to say that…
Filed in Devotions & Studies, General |Journal Readers,
In all my learnings while passing through this life, there is one thing that seems to stand out the most. It is a lesson that I keep having to come back to time and time again. But for the most part I have taken this awesome lesson to heart. And what I have discovered is that life will always be a matter of what is going on my heart and what is happening in my speaking. The simple side is that if I wished to be blessed of the Lord, then I must learn to be both a blesser and a blessing.
And learning to speak properly is the vital key. This one great lesson in life can be summed up in the statements, ‘Do I really need to say it? Would it be a blessing if I spoke it? Would it create a bad impression or a good impression about the person I am speaking of? Would it serve to lift someone up? Would it really be true? Would it be praise worthy? Would God be pleased with my passing judgments on this person?’ (etc., etc., etc.)
Let this country boy bring it to your house for a moment. (Its already been to my house.)
Didn’t you learn nary a thing what your ma told you? She said, ‘If you can’t think of something nice about someone, don’t you dare say anything. You hear me boy!’ Now had 
you listened to your ma, I wouldn’t be having to write right now. Fer shame. Fer shame.
So if at all possible, you ought to go hug your mama jest as soon as you can and tell her just how much you love her, and sure nuff thank her for her wisdom of life.
Well, there really is a more serious side to all this…
You see, mama really was a pretty smart lady. Of course paw was too. Our problem was that we were too smart for our own britches. We didn’t much want ma and pa interferring with our life.
Well, did you know that the whole of our lives and to a large extent the lives of those around us, is straight off affected by the words that we speak. I think this is why in many instances, the Bible speaks of the sins of our mouth in a stronger way than it does even with some of our fleshly failings. This is not to say that our fleshing failings are not important, cause they are.
Just listen to what God says:
“He also loved cursing, so it came to him; and he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him. But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, and it entered into his body like water and like oil into his bones.” (Psa 109:17,18)
“For, ‘Let one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.’” (1Pet3:10)
“There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” (Prov 6:16-19)
Then we have this one from the apostle Peter:
“Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler.” (1Pe4:15)
The troublesome meddler was what your ma was talking about…
Now the word ‘troublesome meddler’ is an odd word in the Bible. In fact in the original it is only used one time. [Allotrioepiskopos - Wow, what a long word.] The Greek word speaks of someone who busies himself with what does not concern him, a busybody, and certainly would include someone who likes passing his opinion about others.
Did you really catch it? Look at the companions to the troublesome meddler. They include murderers, thiefs, and evildoers. 
Does it still hurt? Well, it should. Even what we consider to be a little thing like gossip means that we are playing the devil’s music. Gossip destroys. Satan loves to kill, to steal, and to destroy. Think about it.
Makes you shutter to even think about it. Fact when your mom was asking you to stop passing your opinions, and judgements, and gossip, and slanderings, about others, she was telling you to ask yourself the question, ‘Do I really need to say that?’
So, what is the answer to all this…
The answer is simple. Learn to be a blesser and learn to be a blessing. Where the troublesome meddlers cause stress to those around them, there is another kind of maker who enjoys a wonderful life in the Lord, and who brings the joy of the Lord to others. Jesus calls them ‘the Peacemakers.’
God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, saying, “And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the 
service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Then my people will live in peaceful habitation, and in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places.” (Isa32:17,18)
What does a peaceful habitation look like? Maybe it is somewhat this picture. Rather peaceful, don’t you think? Peaceful habitations are places that people love to visit.
Well, here we are. Let’s begin all over again. Ask and receive the Lord’s forgiveness for all the bad things that have come our of your mouth.
And from now on, before you speak ask yourself the question, “Do I really need to say that?
Time to move on.
Remember - Much love coming your way.
Buddy
