by Cindy Walker Burton

Words are like arrows: once released, you can’t take them back. Arrows are weapons that are keenly sharp, potentially deadly and can be fatal – and so are words. Do I have your attention?

It’s easy to advise someone to “think before you speak.” But actually engaging your brain to do that is hard. If it were easy to think before you speak, no one would utter words that they regret. Hearts wouldn’t get broken by careless words spoken. There’d be no slander by backhanders and bystanders. Gossip would be washed up. We’re human and fallible, and we’re all guilty of putting our foot in our mouth. Evidence found in ancient Mesopotamia and Greece indicates gossip was thriving, so “open mouth, insert foot” has some deep historical roots indeed.

Here’s a mnemonic to emphasize thinking before speaking:

T – is it TRUE

H – is it HELPFUL

I – is it INSPIRING

N – is it NECESSARY

K – is it KIND

Guess who had some of the wisest advice on wielding words. It wasn’t a philosopher, politician or author. It was none other than precocious Thumper (the comical rabbit from the beloved “Bambi” movie). He declared, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” Now that’s a reasonable rational rabbit.

The Bible contains many verses about guarding your tongue. “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.” (Psalm 34:13) “Those who . . . do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves.” (James 1:26). “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” (Proverbs 21:23) Reading the Good Word is honorable and important. Applying the knowledge and living it can be a challenge.

A smart person knows what to say and a wise person knows whether or not to say it (are you smart or wise?). You won’t have to watch what you say if you watch what you think (once again, it’s not second nature to think first and then speak). Words are free but it’s how you use them that can cost you (are you in word debt?). The tongue has no bones but is strong enough to break a heart (and shatter a life).

In conclusion, sticks and stones break bones and words are weapons, too. May we all use our words carefully to heal, not hurt. Enough said.