Living Proof

Fast Food or Fast Words

Imagine what it would be like if you went to McDonald's and ordered a 2 cheeseburger value meal with a Dr. Pepper (there is really nothing else good to eat there). You swiped your debit card when the cashier turns around and immediately lays your food on your tray. Now that would be fast food! When it comes to having our food served to us we always want it fast. Slow is never better, unless you are making homemade ice cream, then it is worth the wait.
Throughout the Bible, God teaches that our speech should not be like fast food, but rather like homemade ice cream. It takes a good 15-30 minutes after you put in all the ingredients to get something out that is edible. Look at what the Bible says about speaking slowly.

Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

You see, when we feel mistreated, misquoted, or misused our tendency is to serve up some “fast words” in our defense just so we can get back at whomever attacked us. Sometimes we get a few facts concerning a particular situation and then we respond quickly and hastily before we get all the facts. This is foolish. For example, last night Bro. Kevin got on to A.J. Strom for texting during church. Everyone knows that A.J. wasn't texting, as it would be highly out of character for him to do so, and that he was in fact using the Bible on his i-touch. Everyone in the youth group knows that, but Bro. Kevin didn’t. Sometimes my son Elijah will respond improperly to my help. We could be out in the yard and he could be standing in a pile of ants, and if I pick him up, he will start to cry. In a sense, he is serving up some “fast words”. He doesn’t see the big picture or have all the facts.

How about you? Are your words and your responses fast or slow? Every Christian should strive for slow words. The next time you fell like exploding, giving someone a piece of your mind, or giving your opinion before you have all the facts, remember that God doesn’t want “fast words”. In fact, no one really appreciates them. If you go around just spouting of foolish words all the time, you become a fool. Let’s be swift to hear, slow to speak.
Helpful Hints

1. Think before you speak
2. Ask God wisdom in what to say before you say it
3. Never speak when anger, you will always regret it