Think Before You Speak: Letting God’s Word Lead Your Words | Empower Her Blog

Empower Her Ministries
2 days ago
3 min read

Have you ever said something and immediately thought,

“Whew… I wish I could take that back.”

It could have happen in traffic, a tense moment with your boss, or a conversation with someone you love.

Perhaps, it was one of those moments where the words came out before your heart had time to catch up.

Friend, if that’s you...you’re not alone.

Even as believers, even as people growing in faith, we can still struggle to find the right words in the moment.

And, sometimes it’s not that we didn’t know better… it’s that we spoke too fast!

As I’ve grown in my faith, I have realized something important:

Knowing Bible verses is powerful, but living them is where real change happens.

There’s a whole difference between memorizing scripture and actually experiencing the promises of God...both for yourself and for the people around you.

And, one of the biggest areas where this shows up is communication.

Recently, I came across a bible that made me pause:

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”- Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV)

This verse sits in the wisdom section of the Bible, you know the books of the Bible including, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job.

Well, Ecclesiastes, friend, was written by King Solomon later in life.

And, if you’ve ever read Ecclesiastes, you know, it’s full of reflection, honesty, and lessons learned the hard way.

When I read this verse, it reminded me of something I heard all the time as a child:

“Think before you speak.”

But this time, it hit deeper.

What stood out to me is that slowing down isn’t about being silent, it’s about being led.

When we pause before speaking, we give the Holy Spirit room to guide us.

We give God access to our response.

We stop reacting from emotion and start responding from wisdom.

And let’s be real, there are moments when our feelings are loud.

But faith teaches us that feelings don’t get the final word.

Scripture reminds us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” -Proverbs 3:5

When we rely on God, not our emotions, not our assumptions, not our first instinct, we create space to speak life, truth, and peace into the atmosphere.

You’ve said things you wish you could take back.

You’ve spoken too quickly.

You’ve reacted instead of reflected.

As you study God's word and live it out, you’re becoming more aware, recognizing patterns, and learning that silence can be wisdom, not weakness.

Then, it is easier for you to pause before responding, invite God into your words, and speak with intention, not impulse.

And the beauty of God’s word is that it’s simple.

It isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress.

This Week's Faith Moves

Here are a few simple ways to live this out:

Pause for 3 seconds before responding
Especially in emotional or tense moments. A pause can change everything.
Pray silently before you speak
A simple: “Holy Spirit, guide my words.”
Ask yourself one question:
Will this bring peace or pressure?
Journal moments you wish you handled differently
Not for shame, but for growth.
Speak less, listen more
Wisdom often grows in quiet spaces.

And A Gentle Reminder, Friend

This passage in Ecclesiastes is specifically addressing vows made to God, but its wisdom extends beyond that. It reminds us that words matter, especially when spoken without thought.

God isn’t rushing you.

He’s inviting you to slow down.

Have you ever caught yourself wishing you could take words back?

Or noticed God teaching you to pause before speaking?

Drop a comment below or share this with someone who’s learning to let God lead their words.

And if you want more practical encouragement like this, make sure you’re connected with Empower Her Ministries, where we don’t just read the Word, we learn how to live it.

Love you, friend

Verse of the Day

Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV) “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

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Hi, I am your friend, Breonna, here to help you trust God, apply His word, and build what He told you to. Start your journey here in Empower Her Mail for weekly encouragement, scripture, and faith you can apply.