The beautiful bouquet of roses a grateful patient sent us drew a lot of attention at our nursing station, and passers-by continually asked who they were from. One harried nurse, apparently tired of explaining, told an inquirer, “They’re from my boyfriend.”

The look of pity she received caused her to read the previously unnoticed card: “Thanks for everything, but I hope I won’t be seeing you again.”

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We sometimes speak before we think and it gets us in trouble. There is an old saying, “Engage brain before putting mouth in gear.”

There are many scripture which speak of this human problem of speaking without thinking.

• Be slow to speak. James 1:19 – So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
• Let your words be few. Proverbs 10:19-  In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
• Think before speaking. Proverbs 15:2 – The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
• Knowledge spares words. Proverbs 17:27 – He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
• Listen before you speak. Proverbs 18:13 – He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
• Guard your words. Proverbs 21:23 – Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
• We have probably all had problems with “putting our foot in our mouth.” James 3:2 – For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

May we all strive to think before we speak. James 1:26 – If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

– Larry Pasley