"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." (James 3: 1-12)
I was a small boy in the 1950s, and like many children, I was told that "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me." Looking back, no one ever questioned the logic of that statement, and I think it was generally accepted as not only being a fact, but it was thought of as:
‘Well, everybody KNOWs that!’
However, as with most things, what seems right to man is not God’s way of looking at things. The truth is, our words can damage people more than most ever realize.
Too often we easily justify our anger. I have experienced adult situations where physical pushing and fighting enrages those involved and escalates into further, lingering bitterness. In contrast, when you observe small children playing, you may sometimes see fighting, pushing and shoving over "what is mine!" and "what is yours!"’ one minute, and then 5 minutes later, you'll hear laughing and see children playing together. Children often forgive more quickly than adults.
God warns us that the tongue has devastating and long lasting effects on one another. Have you ever witnessed a parent who verbally ‘beats down' a child. The child is just humiliated and would like to make himself/herself invisible. I was told in a seminar that it takes over 10 words of encouragement to overcome one word of berating with a child – but are we not ALL children at heart?
Our words can totally humiliate, discourage and destroy those closest to us. For example, we know our family members, and we can quickly point out each of their weaknesses, but God would have us build each other up with encouraging words that would spur those around us to live a life pleasing to our God.
Encouraging words are just as contagious to others as discouraging words. Others want to be around people who are uplifting and quick to have words of praise coming off their tongues.
God asks: "My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
I want to purpose to have only praise worthy words coming from me (whatever is contained in our hearts is what comes out of our mouth). So let's focus on allowing God to take over our hearts and fill us with HIS love for others TODAY.
