Control the Tongue - Seems fitting today that I come across this discipline, because today this was a big topic of discussion from my pastor in his sermon. We can do so much damage with our tongues. It's sad because the tongue is so little compared to our liver or lungs.....they are huge in our body and are very important, but the tongue is small, yet can do so much to hurt people.
I had someone ask me not too long ago if it would be beneficial if he was a mute. It seemed his mouth got him in trouble a lot and he figured not being able to talk at all would be a good way to handle himself. What I am seeing all over the Bible are warnings.....words telling us how to live and be someone who glorifies God with all our attributes. Yet....we are made exactly the opposite as to what we are to be living and doing. This makes it a choice and we need to choose to be godly. We need to choose to watch our tongue in what we say to other people.
Today in the message, my pastor went over private and public ways we dishonor each other. Private ones are in gossip and complaining. Public ones can include harsh words, ridicule, sarcasm, insults, and confrontation. Even the best of intentions on any of these in the lists can be hurtful. We are to use healing and loving words to build each other up. We aren't to use our words to tear others down.
Ever find out someone was talking about your behind your back? Ever change how you look at that person when you know what they said about you? This happened to me recently. I am still trying to find the words and how to handle the situation as I want to honor Jesus, yet it could change how I will interact with the person. I will have to watch every word I say and ask the Lord for help in not using that as a reason not to talk to the person. Forgiveness is key.....which is not the problem.....but trust does become an issue after this kind of thing happens.
My pastor asked us today if any of us has ever gossiped about anyone? I am pretty sure I am not alone in answering "yes" to this question. I will admit I have come to not fall into gossip as much as I did in the past. I am now thankful that most people don't share much with me as they know I don't repeat much of what I hear. With me being a weak link in the gossiping process.....I am not an easy target to keep things going. I am usually the last one to hear of things....and I am ok with that. Now, years ago, I was real bad at this. I fed off gossip and sought out people who fed off it too. This created a negative attitude and I wasn't liking who I was becoming in that mess. I had to make some changes in my life as I knew God was not glorified in my way of sinning. (Keep in mind God is never glorified in our sin.....just making a statement).
Looking at James 3, the first 12 verses deal about taming the tongue. James tells us that the tongue is so small yet it can corrupt the whole body. Toxins set in and affect the whole body, spiritually speaking. Saying harsh words, unkind words, gossip, judgement, etc, can corrupt the whole body of Christ and in turn we do not glorify our holy God. We also do not honor each other and it shows the world we are no different than they are. We are to be set apart in how we act and speak and love each other. Then the world will know we are different and want to come to Jesus by our example.
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