Hold Your Fire (pause it)


A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire.  A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that.


Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything.

A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.

Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief. 
-James 3:5, Proverbs 13:3, 15:1, 21:23

Have you learned to hold your fire?  I'm still learning!  We have to constantly hold back our words, or we can do damage with them.

I felt hurt and offended.  I needed to tell on someone.  It was only fair.  Then I heard, "hold your fire".  So instead I prayed for that person.

When we are upset or hurt, our words might be careless.  We might lash out and pay back.  We say that is not what we intended, but little words can yield big power.  Once something is spoken, it's hard to take it back.  It is much better to hold back and measure our words, being careful what we say.

The wise ones say nothing, while listening to everything.  We use timing and give it time by pausing and holding our fire.  We want immediate vindication and relief, but a better way is forbearance, forgiveness, praying even for our enemies and feeding and caring for them. 

We are learning not to react.

I am a being.  I act, based on who I am.  I don't want to react.  Wisdom responds and does not react.  Reaction is immediate, response takes some thought.  If our thoughts are captured or governed by love, grace, and wisdom; then they will filter what we do in response.

The wise men and women I've known are careful in their speech.  I have also witnessed other very gifted individuals lose their tempters and let go of words.

If we would listen twice as much as we talk, that would be a good start.  If we took everything to prayer, our suffering would be sanctified rather than carnal or sanctimonious.  Suffering is a part of life.  Even tolerating foolishness.  In our lives here, there will be trouble.  But, He has overcome and we are overcomers in our weakness, through him.  He gives us the grace to control our tongues and pause it, holding our fire.


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