July 23: Watch Your Words Today

You didn’t mean anything by it. Just a joke about someone. Just passing along what you heard. But the words are out now. Why do they matter so much?

Paul says not to let any corrupt talk come out of your mouth. Only what builds others up, what fits the moment, what gives grace to those who hear. That’s a high bar. Most of us fail it before lunch.

Words were often a weapon during the drinking years. Sarcasm to keep people at a distance. Gossip to feel better than someone. Cutting jokes that weren’t really jokes. Blame that came out sharp and fast. Sobriety doesn’t automatically fix the tongue.

Step Seven is a good time to look at your words. Ask God to take away the habit of tearing down, and then practice building up. That’s the opposite.

Building up is simple, but it’s not easy. It means saying something kind out loud that you’d normally just think. “You did a good job on that.” “I’m glad you came.” “Thanks for listening.” It means stopping a story halfway when you realize it’s gossip. It means not having the last word.

Gossip deserves a special mention. Recovery rooms run on trust. People share things there that they’ve never told anyone. What’s said there stays there. Repeating someone’s story, even to another person in recovery, can do real harm. It can keep someone from coming back.

Your words also affect you. Complaining feeds resentment. Gossip feeds pride. Kind words, even when you don’t feel kind, can slowly soften your own heart.

Notice the last part of Paul’s sentence. Words that give grace to those who hear. That’s what God’s words have done for you. Now you get to pass it on.

One thing today

Say one specific, kind thing to three different people today. Make it true. And if you catch yourself starting to gossip, stop mid-sentence.

A prayer

Lord, my words have hurt people. Set a guard over my mouth. Help me say things that build up and give grace, the way Your words have done for me. Amen.

A sharp tongue is one of many shortcomings you can bring to God in Step Seven.

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