When I was 12, I went deer hunting for the first time. I went with my Dad, and I carried an empty rifle. Dad was a fanatic on gun safety, and he told me that if I didn’t make one mistake in handling my rifle for the entire season the following year, he would give me one bullet, and if I didn’t make any mistakes that second year, I would then be awarded a full box of ammunition. Dad used to say, “All it takes is a few seconds of carelessness to kill someone.” When I went hunting with my Dad, my mind switched to fanatic gun safety mode; I am still like that when I hunt with a rifle.

I have learned over the years that my words have tremendous power to heal, encourage, and teach truth to people. My words can also wound, hurt, and discourage people as well. The main difference between the two is carelessness, lack of self-control, and the failure to take seriously the power of my words to give life or destroy.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

I am training myself to go into a hyper-cautious mode the minute I step into a social setting. The hard part is that as a member of a large family and the pastor of a large church, that is much of my time. It is easy to be on “high alert” for short amounts of time, but when social time drags into hours, carelessness in speech sets in. I repeat a few axioms in my mind to help me maintain control of my words.
Don’t talk too much.
Keep stories short.
Proverbs 10:19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
Don’t grumble or complain about anything.
Don’t gossip or slander.
Don’t try to impress.
Ask good questions.
Honor people by listening attentively.
Use humor, but don’t be stupid.
Mention the Bible, church, or Jesus as is appropriate.
Remember to ask God for wisdom and self-control often.
James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.