While it's not a legal requirement, most live TV broadcasts are delayed a few seconds to give censors time to ensure compliance with FCC regulations. Commonly known as the "seven-second delay," it's designed to prevent dumb, inappropriate content from plastering living rooms across the country. While there are clearly no rules against recorded content, live TV attempts to stop the train before the wreck occurs.
Thankfully, the same is true of our brains. Most of us have a delay between what we think and what we say. For some, that delay is long as they always seem to demonstrate patience and say the right thing. Others...not so much. In fact, it seems they go in the opposite direction. Out comes the verbal venom, and then (hopefully) they think about what they actually said. While I feel that most of the time, my censors do a fair job, but... sometimes my mouth catches them on a smoke break without telling me, and my thoughts flow out of my mouth unencumbered, usually resulting in a trainwreck.
"The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions." (Proverbs 10:11)
The Bible reminds us how powerful our words are. A small rudder that can steer the whole ship. Furthermore, it reminds us that our words should always be profitable and used for good. This one is hard to follow, as too often I want my words to feel good coming out and hit their target with precision like a rifle shot. This is when I need my censors working overtime.
When I think about our core conviction of serving others without exception, I think about how we serve up words. Sometimes people need words of affirmation and support. Other times, they need words of empathy like "I hear you", "I understand," or "I'm sorry". Sometimes they need encouragement, motivation, or vision. And still other people need words of correction. If you love people well, you will choose to use your words in ways that help others, not to harm or deceive them. Even words that seem harsh in the moment can be a life flowing fountain over time. The rebuke of a friend is way better than kisses from the enemy.
Be careful to treat your censors well. Don't ignore them, cause them to go on strike, or give them too much time off. They are too important. Use the seven-second delay constantly, and be careful about the words that hit the airwaves. Be a life-giving fountain, not a violent eruption of scalding lava.
