“So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6)
Washington Irving said, “The tongue is the only tool that grows sharper with constant use.”
William Norris wrote:
If your lips would keep from slips,
Five things observe with care:
To whom you speak; of whom you speak;
And how, and when, and where.
I read this week that the average person has as many as 700 occasions to speak to someone every day. In the course of those conversations a talkative person uses 12,000 sentences and about 100,000 words. I have had the misfortune to run into that 100,000 word person on more than one occasion! Think about that…there are actually people out there who may speak in EXCESS of 100,000 words a day!!!!!
James reminds us that our tongue has great potential — both for good and for evil. Think about the destruction that comes from someone who uses their 100,000 words to spread rumors and gossip.
By the way…here’s a simple little thing that will keep people from filling your ears with that trash! Whenever someone comes up and says, “I need to tell you about so-and-so;” respond with this — “Wait a minute. May I quote you?” There is usually a long pause and they will say, “Well, I’m not so sure that would be a good idea.” And you can then say, “Then I’m not interested in hearing what you have to say. If you are not interested in putting your name on it, if you are not interested in being there when we confront this individual, then I’m not interested in your gossip.”
James also tells us that our tongue CAN be used for good. Think about all the words of encouragement and praise that you could speak. When people see you coming or see your name pop up on their caller ID — do they roll their eyes and wish they didn’t have to hear whatever you are about to say? Or do they eagerly answer the call or join in the conversation because they know you are going to speak God-honoring, encouraging things to them?
Here’s the question for today. How are you going to use YOUR tongue? Are you going to speak words that bless the Lord and lift up the name of Jesus and witness for Him? Or will you be involved in gossip and criticism. Remember a critic does what critics do — they criticize! And I’m running into more and more of them every day as well. And while we are on the subject — may I just say that criticism is NOT a spiritual gift!
Think about this. If during the next 24 hours — everything — and I mean EVERYTHING we said were recorded and then played back for us to hear — would you be proud of what you had said, or would you be embarrassed?
We all need to watch what we say. Maybe you aren’t a talkative person. Maybe you don’t use 100,000 words a day. Perhaps you are able to get by with only 10,000. Regardless of how many we use, we should all strive to make sure that our words are used for good.
I don’t know who said it, but it bears repeating…
“My diet is balanced. My food is the best. But it’s the words I have eaten that I cannot digest!”
Have a great day.
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