Be a little considerate …

My stint as a newspaper reporter and editor helped me develop an appreciation for good editing. It taught me that more often than not, you can more effectively communicate your message with fewer well-chosen words than by unleashing your thoughts and letting them fly.

As you and I know all too well, there are some who don’t quite understand that concept!

Instead, they boast that anyone who knows (or is near!) them will know what they think. For some reason, they take pride in letting their opinions splash wherever they land.

Such people haven’t learned the apostle Paul’s admonition to edit ourselves:

“We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves,” Romans 15:1.

This statement isn’t directly about editing our words — written or otherwise — but about something even greater: editing ourselves. Just because you’re “strong enough” to bellow your beliefs doesn’t mean doing so brashly is a wise thing to do.

Or considerate.

And it’s consideration of others that Paul is pointing to. Some people are more sensitive than you or me. While there is a time and place to speak boldly, there are many times and places where it’s wiser to consider the sensitivities of others, and then determine a more effective way of sharing what’s on your mind than simply letting loose with unconsidered words.

Those who soak others in their opinions often argue they are free to speak their mind. Paul argues freedom to do so isn’t always the most beneficial thing, for yourself or others. In fact, the apostle argues what is beneficial for others needs to hold a primary place in what we say and do:

“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ — but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ — but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others,” 1 Corinthians 10:23-24.

Proverbs 13:3 provides additional insight, “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.”

So how do we determine how to wisely edit ourselves? Here’s a great passage of scripture that gives some direction in how to edit ourselves …

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer,” Psalm 19:14.

We know we’re getting our motivation, methods, and message right when it is pleasing to the Lord. Are you considerate of others? Does your boldness glorify God? Or is it more often brashness unbecoming of a child of God?

Scotty