Mark says: What we say and what we don’t say in our marriage is a measuring stick for the health of our marriage.
Jill says: Did you know the Bible talks about the power of our words over 3,500 times? That alone indicates that our words are pretty important!
Mark says: Too often couples let their tongues go and their words flow. This damages relationships.
Jill says: I’ve been working hard on taking my thoughts captive and stopping critical words from exiting my mouth by dealing with them while they’re forming in my mind.
Mark says: I’ve also been working hard on taking my thoughts captive as well as choosing to encourage rather than condemn, and lift up rather than criticize.
Jill says: There are some things that simply do not need to be said. In fact, a lot that comes to our mind should never be said.
Mark says: “Loose lips sink ships.” This was a phrase used during WWII reminding citizens and servicemen to avoid careless talk about secure information that might be of use to the enemy. A similar phrase could be used for marriage, “Loose lips sink relationships.” We need to avoid careless talk that will definitely be used by the enemy to steal and destroy our marriage.
Jill says: Here are some of the things God says about our words:
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6
“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 29:20
“The tongue has the power of life and death.” Proverbs 18:21
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
Mark says: So today the challenge we’re giving ourselves and passing along to you is this: Are you bringing life or death to your marriage with your words?
Jill says: One of the most important things we can do is learn to PAUSE before we speak. Just stop and ask yourself: is what I’m wanting to say going to bring life or death to my marriage?
Mark says: Self-control is resisting the urge to do what we FEEL like doing and choosing instead to do what is RIGHT.
Jill says: Sometimes we need to operate as if there really is tape over our mouth. We need to measure our words carefully.
What about you? Do you need to change the words you speak to your spouse?
