Principle 3. Edit Yourself Before Others Have To

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:5-6 (NASB)

Based on the fact that we have two eyes, two ears, and one mouth, one might think we should watch and listen twice as much as talk and talk half as much as we think we ought. 

This perspective becomes crystal clear once you’ve heard yourself speak. I found this out soon after I was hired on to work on-air at our local Christian radio station. You see, talking is no problem for me. But in order for me to improve and grow as a speaker on the radio I needed to hear myself objectively. I had to be my own honest critic by identifying repetitive habits and curtail my aimless oral rambling.

Having a teachable heart is vital in giving worth to our words.

Actually, our public speaking as well as our private conversations would be improved if we considered these following points:

Do I say too much? On the radio 30 seconds is a long time to speak extemporaneously, i.e. without script. Rambling thoughts often miss the mark. Begin with a hook (something ear-catching or interesting). Use one sentence to elaborate on that hook to get you to the point you want to make. State your main point (the “mic drop,” or not).

Do I repeat myself a lot? This comes from not listening to yourself and really hearing what you say. This is why you need to consider your words before you say them so they will be effective. Look for a way to share, share it, and then willingly relinquish the mic for another person to respond.

Do I talk about myself too much? It’s okay to share a personal story as long as you are using it as a stepping stone to your key statement. It’s all too easy to get engrossed in the details and bunny trails of one’s personal events and then end up not saying much of anything by the time you’re done. There is a time for personal testimony. Make sure you’re not pushing out someone else’s chance to share theirs.

We don’t always know who’s in our general audience.

In Colossians 4:5, we are admonished to make our way through this world fueled with godly wisdom toward those who don’t know the Lord, so that we will make use of every opportunity to do good. Basically, to be a faithful witness of our Faithful God.

In verse 6 we find we make use of every opportunity to do good by allowing God’s Grace to stimulate and spice our words. Gracious salting gives joy, promotes healthy dialogue, and advances the ministry of reconciliation to Christ to which all believers have been called.

Remember, there ARE two people who have an “all access pass” to your show – you and God. Gracious speaking benefits our own thinking because the words we read and say aloud help to retain them in our long-term memory.  We need that recall when troubles come.

Retelling God’s gracious words also blesses Him as we exalt His Holiness, Goodness, Mercy, and Love.

Our words are important. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
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Let’s use our words wisely so they will cause a lingering hunger for more of God.

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