I'm taking a Speech class this semester, and I have to say, it's been of more benefit to me personally than any of the other classes I've ever taken.
I did NOT want to take the class and in fact, it was the very last class I needed for my Associate degree. I put it off deliberately for all these years and then it was suddenly staring me in the face.
I've never had the desire to speak in front of large groups, but I've done it twice now in this class, and it's amazing how much empowerment you feel when you "own" what you're talking about. When you've researched it and really know what it is that you're about to share with others.
One of the very first things we learned in this class is that communication can NEVER be taken back. Once the words are out there they may be forgiven, but they are never forgotten and they cannot be revoked.
There is a right way and a wrong way to convey any message. I think we all want to be remembered for inspiring people, not for knocking them down.
It's such a biblical principle (like the verse you cited), and it's all over my textbook as well.
When you say ANYTHING that tears down someone's self-esteem, you will be remembered for that by them forever. They may very well forgive you, but when you're remembered in their mind, it will be for that bad thing FIRST and then any good will come afterward. That's human nature.
Communication in the written form is very complex because not only can it not be revoked, but others you aren't even talking to will form an opinion of you from what they read. The person you are speaking harshly to may forgive but others you don't even THINK to apologize to may have formed a perception of you that won't ever go away.
We really do need to be careful about the things we say, and even if we're angry, we need to think about what it would be like to read our own angry words the next day...when we're no longer angry.
Bible 101 has spread over into Communication 101.
