I’m at Annual Conference this week hearing lots of reports, so I thought I’d pass along some advice that is always a good reminder. It comes from Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California called “Managing Your Mouth.” I’ll not comment whether I believe Rick actually follows his own advice all the time, but I do know the Scripture does not lie! Read on…

If you’re a typical American…
   …you average 30 conversations a day.
   …you will spend 1/5th of your life talking.
   …you will speak enough words in one year to
      fill 66 books – each 800 pages long!

The average man speaks 20,000 words a day. The average woman – 30,000. (Maybe this explains why some husbands have nothing to say when they get home at night and their wives are eager to converse: While a man may have used up his daily allotment of 20,000 words at work, his wife could do the same and still have a 10,000 word surplus!)

We are a nation of talkers. Talk is everywhere. We have talk radio, TV talk shows, car phones, and cell phones. The problem is this: The more you talk, the greater the odds are that your mouth will get you into trouble!

Here are four simple suggestions for mouth management from the Bible.

• THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!
Pause and put your mind in gear before opening your mouth: “Intelligent people think before they speak. What they say is then more persuasive.” (Proverbs 16:23)  “You will have to live with the consequences of  everything you say.” Proverbs 18:20

• ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH.
“Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble.” (Proverbs 10:20) We often hold back the truth to avoid conflict. We don’t want to rock the boat. But eventually, it makes things worse. Dishonesty
destroys relationships.  A real friend will level with you. “An honest answer is the sign of a true friendship.” (Proverbs 24:26)  “In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.” (Proverbs 28:23)

• SPEAK THE TRUTH WITH LOVE.
This is the filter for point #2. Never use truth as a club to batter people. “Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as a sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.” (Proverbs 12:18) “A word of encouragement does wonders!” (Proverbs 12:25)

• ASK GOD FOR HELP IN MANAGING YOUR MOUTH.
I love the Living Bible translation of Psalms 141:3: “Help me Lord, to keep my mouth shut!” “Do not let any unwholesome word come out or your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Thanks for all your encouraging and wholesome words! It’s a pleasure to be your Senior Pastor. I look forward with great anticipation for all God is going to do in and through each of us, as we begin this third year together! Blessings!

Yours in Christ,
Mark

P.S. Be sure to be present this Sunday for a unique and fun presentation of The Word!