Watch What You Say

CViE have recently circulated copies of its booklet “Watch What You Say”, produced in a new format. If you have not received the booklet, and would like one, please contact us for a free copy via the contact page. Although designed for young children, its content applies to us all. As parents of young children we see how quickly they copy what we say – we parents need the same lesson to watch what we say.

We were struck by a recent posting on the Reformation Scotland website, which makes the same point. Based on a modernised extract from the autobiography of James Fraser of Brea (1638-1698) it outlines 12 simple ways to “tame the tongue” and ensure our talk is in accordance with our walk as Christian parents.

“The headlines are ever full of the consequences of reckless words. Someone has said, texted or tweeted something that now comes back to bite them. Politicians are forced to eat their words with profuse apologies. Others are shamed for past opinions. The tongue is certainly the most dangerous part of our body. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Words can make or break lives, relationships and churches. The line  between information, gossip and slander is easily crossed. No-one can tame the tongue – except God, by His grace.”