4:316 – I Heard Your Inner Monologue Again

#faithbites #faithjourney monologue

Setting

I’ll admit, back in the 90s, I loved the Austin Powers Movies. Yes, they were bad and probably don’t hold up to today’s standards, but I enjoyed them. One of my favorite scenes is right after he is thawed out. He begins verbalizing all of his inner thoughts. He talks that his inner monologue is broken. Everything he thinks is said out loud. Of course, that can be very funny. It’s not so funny when it happens in real life. I worry that I speak too quickly and my inner monologue becomes vocal. It has gotten me into hot water. I’ve had to apologize for things that I’ve said and should have only thought about. (Then again, if I can’t say them, should I have thought them? But that’s for another day).

Today’s Questions: When does your inner monologue become public? Are there specific situations when you find that happening? What can you do to reduce it but still speak your mind?

Scripture:

• Proverbs 13:3 – Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
• James 1:26 – If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
• Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
• Proverbs 15:26 – The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.

Reflection

Here is a confession that you may find striking: I am not perfect. 🙂 I scream, I yell, I get road rage. I am a sinner. I’ve found myself driving with the kids and calling other drivers Morons. I look at people and have judgemental thoughts about them. I’ve made that inner monologue public to get laughs or to hurt people. I have done all these things and apologized for them. I’m trying to get better and still recognize I have a long way to go.

God tells us to guard our speech. He says our speech is powerful but should be gracious., seasoned with salt, and used for teaching. God wants us to think before we speak and think purely. Wicked thoughts can lead to wicked words and actions. With that being said, our inner monologue is also often the voice we use with God. Would you speak to God the same way you speak to those around you? If not, maybe you should change your approach. I know I need to work on that.

As we close, let’s remember to watch our speech so that we don’t hurt when we need to love. Let us also work with God to help our thoughts become more in line with his will so we don’t risk that inner monologue causing us troubles.

Prayer

Lord Jesu, thank you for your guidance and example of how to speak love to one another. We pray that you help us think before we speak. We also pray for help in calming our thoughts and allowing us to see each person as you see them. Let our words be your words. Let our thoughts be your thoughts. We pray this in your name, Amen.