Harder to be won...

As a speech teacher I was always on the look out for verse that were about our words. Today in my devotions I found a great one. I had to really think about it. Not because it was hard to understand, on contrary it was a very simple verse. I had to think about it because I was searching my heart to see if I had fallen prey to this. Proverbs 18:19a "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city" Have I offended someone lately?? Am I careful what I say to other people? Do I speak before I think? Do I say things that are better left unsaid? Do I consider other peoples feelings before I vent mine?
What a thought provoking verse. I know that we need to be careful what we say, but if we offend someone by our speech (or actions) they are "harder to be won than a strong city." My speech could turn someone from church, from God, from knowing Jesus as their Savior. Makes me take a closer look to my "conversation" as Paul says. A word meaning more than just what I am saying with my lips. What am I conversing?
I know as a Christian sometimes I practice too much my liberty that comes with being saved. Maybe I should focus more on what other people are seeing. I may not be saying anything "wrong" but should I be saying it.
I think of a joke that people in the south often use. "Bless their heart!" We Northerners tend to just say it like it is, but here in the south they make put downs sound so positive. "She is so ugly, bless her little heart," or "He can't sing at all, bless his heart." As if blessing his heart makes it better. I am guilty of this behavior. Only I haven't started saying bless his heart.
Another thought is that of our opinions. Everyone has an opinion. I love that many people think that their opinions are the only things that matter. Of course many of them would claim "Freedom of Speech." However, I am sure that is not what Jesus taught. I need to be careful about telling people my opinions. My opinions are not the end all. They don't always matter. And sometimes it is better to just keep them to myself. I know I have offended and been offended by opinions.
I am sure we have all been on both ends of this verse. I know I have. What am I doing to change that??
I know that this verse really made me think. It made me reconsider my motives for speech. I hope it has also provoked you to think about your speech and especially your "conversations."