Think Before Speaking

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”  –  Colossians 3:1-3. 

We have all, at one time or another, spoke and reacted to something or someone without really thinking it over firsthand. There are also times when we jump into action without even pausing to get a full grasp of the situation at hand. Doing this can cause intended and unintended consequences on others and on ourselves. The Bible says, “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (Proverbs 18:13).

Just because the thought comes into your head does not mean it should come out of your mouth. The wise course of action is to think before saying anything. The apostle Paul urges believers to “…seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 ESV) If we habitually seek Christ and continually set our mind on things above we can control our thoughts and our words.  2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”  If we continually look to God for help with how we think, He will mold our heart and shift our attention to things above rather than things below. 

Thinking before speaking is another reason to spend a little time with Jesus each morning so that He can prepare us for what we will face that day.  We will often read a verse that God will speak through during the day. And it may be that verse that God uses to say, “whoa, slow down, let’s pause” before we react to something that happens during the day. Psalm 139:1-4 says, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. you know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.”

The Lord perceives the thoughts we’ll think and the words we’ll speak in response and He wants to prepare us, interrupt us, and maybe even rearrange us. He loves us enough to desire to protect us from ourselves. So, who wants to commit to spending a little more intentional time with Jesus?  And pausing before speaking?  

Discussion Questions:

1. When was the last time your tongue got you into trouble?
2. Today, what can you do to start thinking before you speak?