A pastor friend of mine recently leveled some very harsh words at a mutual friend. The result is they are no longer friends.
What a shame.
I was reminded of a powerful Bible verse concerning words. It can be found in the book of James beginning in chapter 3:
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.
This passage actually begins with a special warning to those who are teachers in the church. Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 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.
The Apostle is not saying that it is impossible and beyond our ability to control what we say, but he is emphasizing that it is extremely difficult and we all make mistakes and no one can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance.
The Bible instructs men and women of God to always be consistent! It states repeatedly that virtuous, Spiritual, and edifying language is the undisputable yield of a purified and sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear berating, insulting, curses, lies, or boastings from a true believer’s mouth. In fact this passage plainly states that it is born out of hell and sets the entire course of one’s life on fire.
Bridges are far easier to burn than rebuild. Though it might be tempting to let someone have a piece of your mind, it invariably does nothing more than destroy.
A heartfelt apology goes a long way and is a nice start towards reconciliation.
How about this as a question for you today; if there is no desire on your part to apologize and you insist in your heart that the person that you berated got exactly what they deserved, then what might that say about the condition of your heart and trust in the Lord? Selah . . .
Psalm 32:8
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control . . . Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him . . .
June 14, 2016 – Click here to listen