A Gentle Tone of Voice

Ephesians 4:29  "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

I've heard it said, "It's not what you say, but how you say it."

Lately, the Lord has been working on me about this because many times I don't say things in the right tone of voice. My words can be sharp.  It amazes me how careful I am about the content of my speech, and yet I struggle with my tone of voice.  And, unfortunately, my children are the recipients of the lack of control of my tongue.

The tongue is a two-edged sword. It can be used for good or evil.  When I am tired or stressed out, my tongue can be dangerous, and I say things that I normally would not say.  There is an edge in my voice that should not be there.

I really want to improve in this area.  And the Lord has shown me how by understanding the role my children play in the home. They are here to be trained.  If they knew how to do things, they wouldn't need to be trained.  If their character was already developed, they wouldn't need me. If they knew their academics, they wouldn't need to be trained.

So if my children are in my home to be trained, they will need correction, instruction, and follow -up  -  lots of follow-up.  None of these things should cause me to speak to my children in anything but a gentle tone of voice.

Ephesians 4:29 says it well.  The words of my mouth must be good and edifying to my children.  My words must minister grace to them.  Someday I will give an account for every word I've spoken.

So I can do one of two things: change, or pass down (by example) my tongue problems to my children. They are with me all the time, and my influence on them is great . It must be a positive influence.  My words must be kind, and my speech to my family must be sweet.

Psalm 19:14  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."