Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
The Narrow Gates of Gold
“Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person.”
“Colossians 4:6”
Someone has said, “Always keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them.” I know that some of the kindest words that I have heard have come from church folks; and some of the meanest have also come from church people. Our words and the way we say them are an important part of our witness.
These are old, but relevant, instructions for the person who is tempted to repeat gossip, or say something about another person:
Before you speak a tale that has been told you about another, make it pass through three narrow GATES of GOLD.
First Gate: “Is it true?”
Second Gate: “Is it necessary?”
Third Gate: (The narrowest gate of all) “Is it kind?”
Then, if it has passed through these three Golden Gates to reach your lips; then you may tell the tale without fear of what the result of your speech may be.
Jesus said, “I tell you that on the Day of Judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak,” (Matthew 12:36). Do we really want to give an account for the words that we have spoken?
“Oh be careful little mouth what you say. There’s a Father up above, and He’s looking down in love. So, be careful little mouth what you say”
“If I have uttered idle words or vain …Dear Lord, forgive!”
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
Link to YouTube Video – Be Careful
