A good goal in life is to never hear the phrase, “I thought you said.” Though not always, often that phrase results from being caught having said something that was less than straightforward or a deception, and the person got new information—the whole truth. I have recently watched, as I’m sure many of you have, as both politicians and ministry leaders have been caught in half-truths or even outright lies. They seem to have forgotten that almost everything said or done is within range of some sort of recording device. There is a joke about a wife walking into the kitchen and the husband whispering to her. She asks why he’s whispering, and he replies, “I think our devices are listening to us.” She laughs, he laughs, Siri laughs, Alexa laughs—you get the idea. Solomon speaks to the very real truth that not only deceptive talk but also other forms of sinful talk will catch up with a person. It’s not just about using bad words, but about speaking in a way that is unhelpful, misleading, or even harmful. I learned this lesson early, and I try not to speak much, but when I do, I am careful to only represent truth, kindness, or instruction. I’m still working on it. The old saying, “If you can’t say something nice…” is powerful. Today, speak life—only. #BeTheEdge
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 NIV
