The best immediate response to something that provokes us is not a passionate retort, but a humble prayer.
Life Application Study Bible
What you say and what you don’t say are both important. Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn’t. Examples of an untamed tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying. Before you speak, ask: “Is what I want to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”
Word of God
Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.
James 3:2-3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.3.2-3.NLT
Lord rescue us from our foolish desire for offense and debate, and lead us along the peaceful, still waters that we can appreciate best in our own silence and reverence. Let us be as firm as tall oaks growing beside the river of your grace, deeply rooted and aware of the breeze of the moment’s trials but boldly standing in faith amidst the winds that cannot defeat us. It is your will that we are not like the wolves tearing at one another, but that we are the torn, the suffering servant, the meek, the powerful willing to even be humiliated for the glory of God to be revealed in our willingness to humble ourselves and be dishonored if necessary in this life as He was dishonored in this life — to testify to our eternal life and treasure that is oh so much greater. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 