Speaking in Love

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, 

I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 

I Corinthians 13:1

     When I think of 'the tongues of men and of angels' I think of clear, eloquent speech. Men speak to other men in a common understandable language. I have never heard an angel speak. However, the instances of angels addressing people in the Bible make it clear they spoke in a language understood by the listener. Angels appeared to be well spoken, eloquently.
     Even if I say all the right words and say them properly - when they are not said in love no one wants to listen. What I am communicating might be the truth, but without love it could come across harshly or condemning.
     No one wants to listen to a 'clanging cymbal'.
     Although I don't consider my speech to be eloquent by any means, I pray my words will be spoken in love, acceptable to men and pleasing to my Heavenly Father. Constantly I have to examine my motives. Is what I have to say really for the other person's benefit or mine? Especially where my children are concerned I have a terrible habit of reacting - speaking before I think about my reaction to something. Then I have to go back later and apologize for something I have said or the way I said it.
     Ephesians 4:29 gives clear instruction, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
     Are your words spoken in love, out of concern, genuinely for the benefit of the hearer? Or are your words spoken out of selfish motives for your own edification or benefit?