Big Mouth, Small Brain

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Have you ever had to listen to a chronic complainer? He drones on and on about how his wife is impossible to live with, his kids are scoundrels and ingrates, his boss is a moron, his neighbors are a nightmare, and his church (if he has one) is full of dolts. He talks like he's a genius surrounded by a cast of fools, but as you listen, you can't help wondering who the real fool is. One mark of a fool is a lack of mouth control. He's so busy giving people a piece of his mind that he doesn't have much of a mind left. He talks too harshly, and he talks too much. I learned that the first step in mouth control is learning to keep it shut. One reason we talk a lot is to show people how smart we are, but that's often precisely when we put our foolishness on display. Second step is to choose words that are kind and constructive. "Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious." Let us choose words that build up rather than tear down. We don't have to resort to flattery; simple words of encouragement are best. "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Can we keep our words soft and sweet? Someday we may have to eat them!