It’s kind of a morbid thought, but have you ever thought about what you’d want written on your epitaph. Here are a few funnier ones you probably should “pass” on…
Here lays Butch,
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger,
But slow on the draw.
On the 22nd of June
Jonathan Fiddle
Went out of tune.
Here lies the body
of Jonathan Blake
Stepped on the gas
Instead of the brake.
And my favorite—brief and to the point… “Oh No.”
Here’s one that I would hate to summarize my life:
“Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, lies Arabella Young, who on the 24th of May, began to hold her tongue.”
What a sad way to be remembered. A person unable or unwilling to tame their tongue. What legacy do we want to leave? Being one who built others up with their words or one who tore people down? One who brought grace and healing or one who brought pain and heartache? One who lifted the name of Jesus or hindered the testimony of His name.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Everyone produces fruit. But the question is, “Is it good fruit or bad fruit?” This is no small matter. Did you know that we will give an account to God, not just for our actions but also for our words. Jesus said, in Matthew 12:37, “…for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
James addresses the tongue in James 3. He concludes the section by saying in v. 10, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
We are not to bless AND curse. We are only to bless. Before we open our mouth, let’s ask the question… “Will this bless God and the person I’m saying it to?” If the answer is “yes,” say it! If the answer’s not—don’t say it!
Consider this…
- If an epitaph of my words was written, what would the epitaph say?
- Jesus connects the heart to our words. If you struggle with taming the tongue, what might it be saying about your heart?
- Who is someone you could bless this week with your words?
Monday Movement
On Sunday, we said we need to “T.H.I.N.K.” before we speak. Write down the acronym on a piece of paper and keep it with you throughout the day and refer to it as you think about your speech.
T – Is it true?
H – Is it helpful?
I – Is it inspiring?
N – Is it necessary?
K – Is it kind?
- If you have hurt someone with your words, go to them this week and seek forgiveness.
- Make a goal this week, that everyday you are going to lift up one person with your words.
- Memorize James 3:9–10.