Out of My Own Mouth

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Everyone has these moments....I'm sure that I have them more than the average person, however. The moment when we open our mouths and say something that immediately you wonder why on earth you even said that. Well, this incident was no exception. I was telling a friend about an acquaintance who I had observed things in this person's life that I did not find appealing and beautiful about this person. The words I used were not the nicest words either, and I was a little surprised at myself for voicing such strong feelings toward someone I didn't really even know. To my surprise and shock, I listened as my friend continued to verify my thinking and bash this person. I felt terrible. The more she spoke, the more awful I felt. Why did I even bring that up? And what do I say now that I was the one who started the conversation, but was feeling convicted even at that moment for being harsh and unloving of this person? Yeah, we had legitimate reasons to be upset at this person's conduct, but I for sure am not better than this person. I sat there for a minute in shock, my words had not only been unnecessary, but had triggered more unnecessary, hurtful, and potentially harmful words that never should have been said. In today's society, we often talk about people and justify it with phrases such as "I shouldn't say this but...", "Well, it's true!", "....bless their heart." and "Well they deserve it", but this is ridiculous. We are trying to make ourselves look better yet the words coming out of our mouths are doing the exact opposite they are shaping what others think of us. While reflection on this incident, I think the thing that struck me most was the fact that MY words, let to more words. Those words weren't mine, but I felt responsible in some way for bringing them on. What we say, impacts others even when we don't realize it.That is why we need to guard our hearts, for the purity of our hearts determines the words that come out. Apparently, I need to be spending some time in the Word, because my words saddened me today, and they sadden God too.