When I was a young boy, we taunted verbal bullies with these words, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me.” That statement was not only untrue, it was also unwise because it could encouraged some bullies to resort to sticks and stones. Words can and do harm us. They may not leave visible scars but they can cause damage and scarring to our mind and spirit. Because of this, our careless words may cause more harm than we can possibly imagine. To someone who has been severely abused, angry words spoken in a moment of stress can trigger flashbacks of those painful times. To a person who has been demeaned and made to feel worthless, a simple correction or seemingly harmless complaint may seem to them like you are piling on with all of the other critics in their life. We can inadvertently rip off the scab covering a painful old wound. On the other hand, soft and encouraging words can aid in the healing process.
The book of James is a letter written by Jesus’ brother to Jews living abroad. He spends considerable time describing the untamed human tongue and the harm and evil it can produce. He warns us, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19) He also points out the inconsistency of our tongue, “Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” (James 3:9-10)
My problem is that I often spend way too much time talking and writing about the things around me that are inconsistent with God’s word instead of proclaiming the truth of God’s word and encouraging obedience to it.
Whatever problem you and I have controlling our tongue; we can all pray with the Psalmist, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14)