“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” (Proverbs 15:28)
Pilate demanded an answer from Jesus. Many a situation would pull from us a response that has had no time for preparation. If the answers of our tongue are to be of the Lord, so must the preparation of our heart. “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” (Prov. 16:1)
James wisely counseled: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19) Anger accelerates speech. This is why we are told in the same verse to be slow to speak and slow to wrath. We are also told to be swift to hear. Yes, this means we are to fully hear out a matter before arriving at any conclusions (Pr. 18:13); but even more so it means that we must diligently reach to God for what He would have us say or not say.
There is a waiting on God for the green light to speak. There is a waiting on Him for acceptable words. We open our mouth and let pour out the contents of an unprepared heart at our own risk. Don’t let circumstance or emotion dictate what you have to say. Study to answer. Let God be your tutor.