The Best Construction on Everything

Measure Your Words

Pr 13:2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. 3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

You will have opportunity today to speak of another person. It may be the president of the United States, or an athlete who you think is overpaid, or a right fielder on your little league team, or that person slowing down things at the express line in the grocery store, or maybe a person at work or school who just doesn’t seem to fit in, or maybe someone on social media whose views don’t match yours.  

You will have an opportunity to speak!

This proverb reminds us two things to consider whenever we open our yapper. Measure your words and speak well. Speak well of others!

I grew up in the Lutheran church and that meant confirmation classes. In these classes we had to memorize the Ten Commandments along with Luther’s explanation of each one.  His take on the eight commandment, (by Lutheran count…..don’t judge me on this) has always stuck with me through the years.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

What does this mean?

“We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.”

“The best construction on everything???????? You don’t understand Martin! You’ve never been cut off on the freeway by an impatient driver! You’ve never seen some of the ways these people dress! And what am I supposed to do when someone attacks my political views on Twitter?

Where do you get this “best construction on everything business from anyway?"

Maybe he was reading Col 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Or maybe:  Ec 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;

Or maybe:

 Pr 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

 Well, you get the idea.

You WILL have the opportunity to speak about others today! Measure your words, speak well, and put the best construction on everything.