Gatekeepers Of Our Tongues
By
Susan Klein
“A
word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Proverbs
25:11 (NIV)
Oh, the power of the spoken word! They can build up or tear
down, instruct or deceive, lead to life or to death. Once they’ve left our
tongues, words can never be put back. Thus, we must inspect our words carefully
before they leave the building!
Recently, I saw an old Arabian Proverb that proclaimed: “The
words of the tongue should have three gatekeepers: is it true, is it kind, is
it necessary?” Wouldn’t we love to have these three gatekeepers constantly
attending our lips?!!
How easy is it to tell a “little white lie” or only admit to a
half-truth when it suits our purpose? And who hasn’t embellished a story to
make it more interesting for the hearer? If we ignore the gatekeeper of truth, our lying could lead to some
seriously undesirable consequences. Scripture admonishes, “The Lord detests
lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful” (Proverbs 12:22, NLT).
It also carries a warning: “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who
pours out lies will not go free” (Proverbs 19:5).
I know I’ve uttered more than a few unkind words in my life. No
sooner had they left my lips than I wished I could have taken them back. I’ve
learned (often the hard way) that “a gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh
word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Oftentimes, our unkind words are unleashed
in the heat of anger or frustration. Perhaps we feel let down, or our
expectations haven’t been met. I believe the gatekeeper of kindness understands grace. Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God
forgave you.” If God could show such
kindness and compassion to me while I was steeped in sin, how can I not show
kindness to others whose offenses are far less?
“Is it necessary?”
Have you ever not answered the phone because the caller might talk for hours?
Or, who of us hasn’t offered unsolicited advice to a friend or family member when
all they needed was a listening ear? According to God’s Word, it is never
necessary to use our words to gossip, to slander, to betray a confidence, to tear
another down, to blaspheme, or to deceive. Conversely, it is always necessary
to use our words to comfort, to build up, to encourage, to teach, and to share
the Word of God.
As King Solomon once said, “He who guards his lips guards his
soul” (Proverbs 13:3a). Wise words to live by.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Identify any gatekeepers you may not be employing.
2.
Choose what is necessary.
FURTHER READING:
Susan is married to
Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing,
and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at
Oakwood.
