I am a witness to the fact that the right word at the right time can be a beautiful thing; I am also a witness to the fact that the wrong word at the wrong time can be a disastrous thing. Some people walk around wounded for years because they cannot forget words which were spoken to them by friends, relatives, acquaintances, or lovers in their past histories. Many people acknowledge the concept of letting go without being able to fully engage in the process of letting go. The idea that words can never hurt us is a lie.
As an attractive ornament used in decoration brings delight to the eye of the discerning person, so an attractive word spoken at an appropriate moment brings delight to the ear of the discerning person (adapted from Matthew Henry).
As believers in Christ and family members in the home, we can start banishing words which wound through the practice of using discretion before we speak. Let's step back and employ good judgment before we say things which could be hurtful, harmful, distressing, or cause unnecessary offense. Let's do our best to avoid gossip by focusing on relationships present and current, not on relationships past or absent.
Anytime before I speak, may I consider the knowledge base from which I speak. Little knowledge probably equates to little authority. Pity for me, I'm often too stupid to recognize this! I frequently fall prey to speaking without much sense!
As believers in Christ and family members in the home, we can also practice using discretion while we speak. We can monitor our words more carefully and pay attention to the effect our words are having on others. We can monitor the tone and pitch of our voices while we are speaking and be on the look-out for words and phrases which tear down instead of build up. Experience has taught me that both children and people with disabilities can be hurt by thoughtless, careless speech. Cynicism, undue criticism, sarcasm, and vulgarity can be easy to notice and hard to miss.
As believers in Christ and family members in the home, we can even practice using discretion after we speak if we become aware that our words have been spoken rashly, harshly, insensitively, or without wisdom. Sincerity in relationships which carries through to apology and admitting of errors is better received than neglectfulness or pretended naivete.
May God cause us to be skillful in our words so that we might more skillfully reveal Him and not cause others to be repelled or repulsed by us!
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