The greatest destroyer of relationships…

We all know what a lack of self-control can do to us.  But it also affects our relationships.  It affects those that we come in contact with.  As Proverbs 25:28 (LB) says, "A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls."  When I don't have self-control in my life, I'm vulnerable to all kinds of problems.  Anything out of control in your life can harm other people.  Anything out of control in your life can cause damage to relationships.

Uncontrolled anger

Uncontrolled lust

Uncontrolled spending – the number one cause of divorce in America is financial crisis, problems, stress.

Uncontrolled drinking

Uncontrolled ambition – the workaholic says "I don't have time for my family because I'm too busy building my career, achieving the impossible."

Now the greatest destroyer of relationships is an uncontrolled tongue.

Proverbs 13:3 (LB) says, "Self control means controlling the tongue!"  If you don't know how to manage your mouth, you don't know how to manage your life.

So to manage your tongue, first of all think before you speak.

Proverbs 16:23 (TEV), "Intelligent people think before they speak.  What they say is then more persuasive."  Think first.  Don't assume anything, think before you speak. 

Proverbs 18:20 (TEV), "You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say."  A closed mouth gathers no foot.  People have died for saying the wrong things.  You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say because words set off a chain reaction. 

Dad comes home, tired and frustrated, and yells at mom.  Mom yells at the older brother.  The older brother yells at younger sister.  The younger sister kicks the dog.  The dog bites the cat.  The cat scratches the baby.  The baby bites the head off the Barbie doll.  Wouldn't it be easier if Dad just bit the head off the Barbie doll and saved all of that in-between stuff?  There's always a chain reaction.

Just a thought from the front porch…