What is it that causes us to say, or do things that we truly regret later?

Do we ever think of the consequences of our actions?

As Christians we should know better. Or be more aware of our actions and our behavior.

We should know that we are suppose to be (come) "conformed", or be "conforming", to the image of Christ:

  "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the Image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

                (Romans 8:29 NKJV)

But when we do not keep ourselves in check. Allow the Holy Spirit to keep us in check. Guide us, direct us (JN 14:26, 16:13) ,what do we expect?

Our pride, others hurting us. Can cause us to lose all sense of what we know to be right and true. And it causes us to sin. So we do the unthinkable. We hurt, we insult others. With little thought to what we are doing. All in the name of satisfying "our pride".

You know when others hurt us. It is in within our human nature to strike back. To harden our hearts. Cut people out of our lives. To hide ourselves away. To do things that truly, underneath it all (the pain, hurt, etc.), we do really not want to do! And as we are more conformed to the image of Christ. Even less, do we want to do such things!

But yet, we still fight the flesh.  ...Don't we?

It's easy for all of us to want to strike back, or repay in kind. The hurt and pain others cause us. But when we think of Jesus?

He never did:

 "He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
       Yet He opened not His mouth;
       He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
       And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
       So He opened not His mouth."

              (Isaiah 53:7 NKJV)

...Even until death!!

So this makes me think. If we are called to be conformed to Him. Become more like Him. His image. Perhaps we need to rethink how we react to others?

You see Jesus spoke hard words when necessary. But He was also very gentle.

And He also was very gracious. Gracious to those who hurt, and caused Him pain.

And as I was thinking about this. I was wondering. Can I? Can all of us? Can we be more gracious to those who hurt us?

And I also thought of this. We can say things we do not mean. When we are hurting. Things that are not easy to "erase" later. In fact, not any of us, can erase, or take back, the things we say. Especially when it causes hurt and pain to others. And we have to ask ourselves this. Would I say this same thing? If I were not so angry with this person? Or hurt by them?

You know the old saying, "the pen is mightier than the sword". Has so much truth to it. Words can be so powerful! Whether written on paper, or said out loud.

In fact, words can be as sharp as a "knife":

"The tongue has the power of life and death,
       and those who love it will eat its fruit."

                (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)

"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health."

                (Proverbs 12:18 NKJV)

"A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit."

             (Proverbs 15:4 Amp. B.)

They can really cut into our hearts!

And I'm sure you've probably experienced it!!

They can really cause us hurt and pain. And we can also hurt and cause others pain. And we can carry around the pain and hurt for many years. The pain and hurt of those words spoken to us by others. And the regret we carry from those things we have spoken to others. That we cannot take back!

So this is what I would encourage you to think about today. Before you say something out of hurt, or anger. Take time. Pray about what is troubling you. See what God has to say about what it is, that is on your heart. Either the anger you feel towards someone. Or something you feel you need to express, from hurt, or pain someone has caused you.

Be wise!

"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
      But he who restrains his lips is wise."

              (Proverbs 10:19 NKJV)

"He who has knowledge spares his words,
      And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit."

                    (Proverbs 17:27 NKJV)

Not unwise!

"Do you see a man hasty in his words?
      There is more hope for a fool than for him."

                 (Proverbs 29:20 NKJV)

You know we cannot take things back that we say. Nor can we control how others will receive what we say. But we can pray and ask the Lord what is right, and what is wrong. And we can present what we need too. In a way that would be pleasing to God. That would be more "product-able". Then destructive words we use, that once they are off our lips, it is done!

So, the rule of thumb? Is this. "Is what I say, how I express myself to others." "Even in my anger, frustration, or hurt, pain." "If God were standing in the same room." "Would He be disappointed in the manner in which I express myself? What I say?" "The words I choose?" "Am I being constructive, or tearing down?"