Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 1148 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Muzzle Yourself – Ask Gramps
Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy.
Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1148 of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday, we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.
As we continue on this trek called life, sometimes we have questions about life, so our Friday trek is a time when we can “Ask Gramps.” Gramps will answer questions that you would like to ask your dad or granddad, but for whatever reason, are unable to. No matter how old we are, I know that all of us would like the opportunity to ask dad or gramps questions about life in many areas.
We may mix it up a bit on our Friday episodes but will strive to keep them down to earth and enjoyable. If you have any questions that you would like to ask Gramps, please email them to guthrie@wisdom-trek.com.
So the question for this week is…
“Hey, Gramps, How can I be more careful with the words that I speak, and what I say to others? Sometimes I hurt those I love most because of my careless speech.”
Muzzle Yourself
This is an issue that certainly all of us continually struggle with. James, the half-brother of Jesus, had this to say about our speech in James 3:1-12…
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
The book of wisdom, which is Proverbs, also has much to say about our speech. For example, Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”
When we say the wrong thing at the wrong time, there can be many consequences. It seems, though, that sometimes we just can’t help ourselves. We need to realize and remember that we are responsible for everything we say. Sometimes we use our mouth to put others down, to reveal confidences disguised as prayer requests, or to build ourselves up in the eyes of others, even if it is a subtle way of tearing others down.
Sometimes we provide a running commentary on life, the good, the bad, and the ugly. James tells us that “It is a whole world of wickedness…It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.”
Ephesians 4:29 teaches us something different when it says, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Think about that. Is there any better advice when it comes to our speech? It can take years to build trust with someone and only a few ill-chosen words to tear it all back down. Remember that your mouth is one of the most obvious windows to your relationship with Christ. What we say can encourage people that are hurting and give grace to those who need it.
Though the tongue can be used recklessly, causing great damage, it can also be used wisely, bringing great good to many. My advice is to permeate your life with God’s word and allow Him to guide your words. Make your speech a matter of prayer. Be intentional every time you open your mouth. The bottom line is your mouth can be a useful ministry tool, or a weapon. By God’s grace, seek to use your words for His glory.
As the old saying goes, “A closed mouth gathers no foot.” Be wise as we are told in Proverbs 16:23, “From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.”
Join us again next Friday for another question on our “Ask Gramps” episode. Our next trek is Mediation Monday, when we will help you reflect on what is most important in life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past 1147 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so each day will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you on Monday!