Introduction
In today’s society, it is easy to get wrapped up in the fast pace of life and forget the importance of slowing down and taking time to think about our words before we speak. This can often lead to hasty or hurtful words being said in the heat of the moment, which we may later regret. The Bible gives us wise counsel on this issue, instructing us to be “slow to speak” in order to avoid problems (James 1:19).
When we are “slow to speak,” it doesn’t mean that we never say anything. It means that we take time to think about what we want to say and how our words will impact others before we speak. This can help us avoid saying things that we might later regret. It can also help us communicate more effectively, as our words will be well-thought-out and intentional.
If you find yourself struggling with speaking too quickly or impulsively, take some time to pray and ask God for help in learning to be “slow to speak.” Also, try to practice slowing down and thinking about your words before you speak in everyday conversations. With practice, it will become easier and more natural for you to be “slow to speak” in all areas of your life.
What the Bible Says About Speaking Slowly
It is important to be slow to speak for many reasons. When we are slow to speak, we are able to think about what we are saying before we say it. This allows us to avoid saying things we might regret later. Additionally, speaking slowly usually indicates that we are taking time to choose our words carefully, which can make our communication more effective.
The Book of Proverbs
Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 15:2 – “The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.”
Proverbs 18:13 – “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
The Book of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 5:2 says, “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.”
This verse is often quoted in order to encourage people to think before they speak. It is true that we should not be quick to speak, but rather take the time to think about what we are going to say. However, this verse also has a deeper meaning.
When we take the time to speak slowly, it shows that we are taking the time to listen to God. We are not just speaking words that come into our head, but rather we are listening for what God wants us to say. This is an important aspect of prayer and communication with God.
If we are always in a hurry, we will miss out on what God wants to say to us. We need to slow down and listen for His voice.
The Book of James
The Book of James is a New Testament book that teaches about faith and works. In James 2:17, it says, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This means that faith without works is dead, or non-existent. And in order for our faith to be credited to us, we need to have works that show our faith.
In James 3:2-12, it talks about the power of the tongue and how it can be used for good or evil. It says that the tongue is a small fire that can set the whole world on fire with its evil. We need to be careful with our words because they can cause a lot of damage.
Why Speaking Slowly Is Important
It Shows Respect
Slowly speaking is a sign of respect. When you speak quickly, it can sound like you’re rushing or that you don’t care about the conversation. If you want to show someone that you value their time and what they have to say, slow down your speaking.
It Communicates Confidence
Speaking slowly has many benefits. It can make you seem more confident, trustworthy, and competent. It can also make your message easier to understand, especially if you’re speaking to an international audience.
Of course, there are times when speaking quickly is appropriate. For example, if you’re giving a presentation and want to convey excitement or energy, speaking quickly can be effective. But in general, speaking slowly is the best way to communicate confidence.
If you find yourself speaking quickly, take a deep breath and slow down. Your listeners will thank you!
It Helps You Think More Clearly
When you speak slowly, you’re giving yourself time to think about what you want to say. This allows you to be more clear and concise in your communication. When you speak quickly, you’re more likely to ramble and make mistakes.
Speaking slowly also allows you to better enunciate your words. This can be helpful when communicating with someone who doesn’t speak your language fluently, or when you need to be clear and unambiguous.
How to Slow Down Your Speech
If you’re finding that you’re always the one talking, and people are always interrupting you, it might be time to work on slowing down your speech. There are a few things you can do to help with this. First, take a breath before you start talking. This will help you to slow down your speech and make it deliberate. Secondly, make sure that you’re enunciating your words clearly. This will help people to understand you better and also slow you down. Lastly, try to bite your tongue if you find yourself speaking too quickly. This will help to make you more aware of your speech and help you to slow down.
Practice Pausing
When you’re talking, it can be helpful to intentionally pause between words and phrases. This gives you time to take a breath and gather your thoughts, while also giving your listener time to process what you’re saying. You might feel like you’re pausing too much at first, but with practice it will become more natural.
Here are a few tips for incorporating pauses into your speech:
-Practice in front of a mirror so you can see when you’re pausing.
-Start with longer pauses and gradually reduce the amount of time you pause for.
-Focus on pausing at natural breakpoints in your sentence, such as after commas or before conjunctions.
-If you get tongue-tied, take a deep breath and start again from the beginning.
With practice, using pauses will become second nature and will help you to speak more slowly and clearly.
Use Filler Words
Filler words are sounds or syllables we add to our speech to fill in empty space. They act as verbal placeholders. For example, we might say “um” or “ah” before we continue speaking.
Filler words are common in casual conversation, but they can make you sound nervous or unfocused when you use them too often. If you want to slow down your speech, aim to use filler words less often. This will make you sound more confident and polished.
There are a few different ways to reduce your use of filler words:
Awareness: The first step is simply becoming aware of when you use filler words. Pay attention to how often you say “um,” “ah,” “like,” “just,” etc. Once you know how often you use these words, it will be easier to cut back.
Practice: Choose a few sentences or topics ahead of time and practice saying them out loud without using any filler words. This will help you get comfortable speaking without them.
Pauses: It can feel unnatural to pauses in our speech, but pausing for a beat before you continue talking is much better than using a filler word. If you need time to think about what you want to say next, take a breath and count silently to three before continuing.
Speak More Slowly Than You Think You Need To
One of the most common pieces of advice given to people who want to sound more clear and authoritative is to slow down their speech. And it’s good advice! Speaking too quickly can make you sound nervous, unsure of yourself, or even difficult to understand.
But how slowly should you speak? The answer might surprise you.
When we speak slowly, we tend to draw out each syllable equally. So if we’re saying a word like “cat,” we’ll say “c-a-a-a-t.” This is actually harder for listeners to understand than if we say “cat” at a normal speed, because our brain relies on the timing of speech to help us recognize words.
Instead of speaking equally slowly over each syllable, try this trick: slow down the beginning and end of each word, but keep the middle part at a normal speed. So “cat” would become “c-aaaaatttt.” This may feel strange at first, but it will be much easier for listeners to follow.
Conclusion
We Christians should be slow to speak for a number of reasons. First, because we represents God to the world, and His reputation is at stake in how we conduct ourselves. Second, because our words can have a lasting impact, both positive and negative, and we should use them wisely. Third, because hasty words can lead to conflict and division, whereas careful words can build unity and understanding. Fourth, because the gospel we proclaim is of eternal importance, and we want to communicate it clearly and accurately. Finally, because our speech should always be gracious, like that of our Savior.