What are words for?

I have been reading so many scriptures and teachings, and even secular books, lately that have been dealing with words:  the power they contain to both bring life and death.  What we speak is perhaps the most difficult area of self-control with which we will struggle.  

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.                                --James 3:7-8

We are each responsible for the words that come out of our mouth.  No one forces us to say anything...we do it of our own free will.  Some of us use words more loosely than others.  I know what it feels like to be at the receiving end of an unfettered tongue...and I'm sure many others out there do, too.  I am not claiming to be innocent of this crime myself...I have been guilty of speaking without restraint as far as tone and content.  I am a human being in a fallen world and am by no means anywhere near perfect!

I am simply trying to clearly state that there are no excuses for when we use our tongue for evil.  Letting our emotions get the better of our tongues does not excuse the words that have been given flight in a sudden flurry of activity.  And we would do well to remember that, once a word is said, it cannot be taken back...there is no delete button that will erase it from the receiver's memories.  No matter what others say to us, do to us, push us toward...we still have a choice.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.  --Proverbs 29:11

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.   --Proverbs 13:3

I am working very hard at having more self-control over this volatile muscle.  And when I fail (which I will from time to time), I attempt to make my apologies as soon as I can without excusing it.  I take full responsibility for what comes out of my mouth.  In a world that wants to teach us to shirk responsibility, I am walking against the crowd.  I am opting to try to really think before I speak.  I am attempting to put a filter in place that will help me guard against harmful speech.  This may mean that I need to disengage from a heated conversation or to go quiet.  I am hoping that each day, with God's help, it will become an easier task to bear.

So who will join me and try to focus on speaking life giving words?  I want to be a source of joy!  How about you?

Jeanine