You Cannot Rewind Words Whether Spoken or Written

We all use words, and most of us could learn to use them less or with greater wisdom. There are many times when I would have liked to rewind time or rewind what I said so that it was either left unsaid or unwritten.

Two examples from the book of Proverbs are good reminders. The first is to be careful about signing agreements that are full of words you will probably regret. Certainly cosigning a loan falls into that category, but all contracts that bear your name are your words, even if you did not write them on your own.

“My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.” – Proverbs 6:1-3

A second example has to do with hasty words. We should press the PAUSE button on our mouths. There is no REWIND button.

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” – Proverbs 29:20

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

True Christians who are trusting in the grace of God by faith, strive to say words that are acceptable in God’s sight.

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.