Think First then Speak

When confronted with a situation or conversation ~ do you listen?  Or do you assume you know what the other person is saying, meaning, or implying?  Do you ask questions for verification?  Do you really listen before you speak?

I've had several situations in the last few years, at home or church or out, where people assumed they knew what I was talking about but really didn't have a clue.  They didn't ask ~ just went with their own assumptions. 

I've had others where folks told me things they were doing, get togethers they were hosting, events they were planning, gifts they were giving others ~~~ and none of this involved me.  So why tell me?  I don't have any idea.  Some do it foolishly, some do it maliciously, some do it to create strife.

Foolish talking, foolish actions, foolish attitudes are "unthinking".  Everyone needs to listen, think, then talk. 

If our boasting, pride, foolishness gets in the way of calm, quiet, careful speech & actions ~ then we need to get rid of the boasting, pride, and foolish ways or speech.  The Bible is very clear about fools, foolish behavior, pride, boasting ~ and we as Christians still act in these ways.  These actions aren't pleasing to the Lord and go against the Biblical teachings we know.

Its really easy on a blog to portray everything as rosy, lovely, perfect, calm, etc.  This is a downside to not actually knowing the person whose life you are reading about.  Life isn't easy.  Life is messy, organized, emotional, quiet,  hurtful, loud, aggravating, filled with new experiences, exasperating, busy, transparent (to some), creative, contemplative, private, public. 

So maybe the title should be "Pray, Think & Then see if you need to Speak"!

Ephesians 5:29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.

James 1:19-20 & 22
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Do not merely listen to the word, and deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 & 12
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

So scripture is clear ~ don't let unwholesome talk come out of our mouths (just because you think it doesn't mean you have to say it), don't be bitter, brawling, or slanderous, listen first, be slow to anger, lead a quiet life, mind your own business................and I didn't even touch on the tremendous teachings of Proverbs. 

Our prayer is to live a quiet life, to mind our own business, and to work with our hands.  To be busy with the tasks the Lord has given us.