“And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.”
Matthew 14:9
Words carry weight. In Matthew 14, King Herod made a careless promise to impress his guests which cost John the Baptist his head. Though Herod regretted his words, the damage was done. His need to appear honourable in the eyes of men overpowered his conscience.
A thoughtless comment can break trust, spark conflict, or bring harm we never intended. Once spoken, words cannot be retrieved. That’s why Scripture continually reminds us to be “slow to speak and wise with our tongue.”
As believers, we represent Christ even in our conversations. Before making promises, commitments, or casual remarks, pause, pray, reflect, and ask yourself: Is this true? Is it necessary? Is it wise? Speaking without thinking may satisfy pride for a moment, but its consequences can linger for a lifetime.
Charge: Let our words be seasoned with grace, guided by wisdom, and rooted in truth.
Further Study: Proverbs 13:3, 17:27-28, 18:13, 21:23, 29:20; Ecclesiastes 5:2; Matthew 12:36-37; James 1:19.
