How do we interact with others? How do we come across? Are we aware of the tone of our voice when we are speaking? This is often the first thing that people notice. I really believe that it is so important to choose our words carefully. It says in Proverbs 18:21 that the tongue has the power of life and death. With our tongue we have the power to encourage and edify or damage and destroy.

If we are speaking the truth, does it matter how we say it? I believe that it does. In Ephesians 4:15 we are told to speak the truth in love. What happens when we don't speak the truth in love? It says in in 1 Corinthians 13:1; though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Have you ever listened to someone who was speaking words of truth but they were delivered harshly? Regardless of the topic of conversation, how we present our thoughts and feelings determines the kind of response we will get from others.

With our words we have the power to build up or tear down. Haven't we all said things that we wished we could take back? It's so easy to become careless with our words. We've all done it and sometimes without even meaning to. So, how can we improve the way that we interact with others?

It says in James 1:19 that we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Here we are encouraged to listen to others before we speak and are shown how to respond when careless words are spoken. Instead of being offended and defensive, we can choose to be slow to anger. This scripture is certainly a great one to live by.

We can also choose to speak words that are pleasant. It says in Proverbs 15:1 that a gentle answer turns away wrath. I have found this to be very true. I realize there are times when we all must offer a word of correction or instruction to someone. I believe that this can be done without a sharp tongue while speaking the truth in love. Easier said than done? Absolutely! Yet, the response we get makes it well worth it.

Isn't this how we all want to be treated? Don't we all want to be spoken to truthfully and with kindness and consideration? Isn't it great when we can give and receive Godly counsel and encouragement? As it is written in Proverbs 15:23 a man finds joy in giving an apt reply, and how good is a timely word. Yes, we can all rejoice when the proper words are spoken. Like music to our ears. How sweet is the sound!!

THE TONE OF VOICE

It's not so much what you say,
As the manner in which you say it,
It's not so much the language you use,
As the tone in which you convey it.

"Come here!" I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
"Come here," I softly said,
And straight to my lap he crept.

Words may be mild and fair,
And the tone may pierce like a dart.
Words may be soft as the summer air,
But the tone may break someones heart.

For words come from the mind,
They grow by study and art.
But tone leaps from the inner self,
Revealing the state of the heart.

Whether you know it or not,
Whether you mean it or care,
Gentleness, kindness, love, and hate,
Envy and anger are there.

You can try to avoid a quarrel,
Let peace and love rejoice,
Keep anger out of your words,
Keep it out of your tone of voice.
Author: Unknown

Let your speech always be with grace,
Seasoned with salt, that you may know
How you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:6

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24

These things we also speak,
Not in words which man's wisdom teaches
But which the Holy Spirit teaches,
Comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 2:13

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