09.07.07
“A SUBTLE WEAPON!”
James 3:6
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
In ministering as a Christian counselor, I have many times been saddened by reports of gossip which so-called, good people have spread. I recall as a young man sagged in his chair and shared with me about how people had been spreading stories about him all over the school.
Unfortunately, many times the people who spread these reports do not see themselves as “gossips.” They feel that they are merely “reporters of information.” I have often wondered how they would feel if people were saying the things about them that they were saying about others?
We, as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, are called to give good reports about people. If there are things in a person’s life which we question, we need to go to them personally. The first thing we need to do is to assure them that we have purposed in our heart to give a good report of everyone, but need their help. We then can mention the thing or things that we have observed and ask if they could clarify the matter?
In a counseling session many years ago a husband was telling me about the many terrible things his wife had said to him. After a few moments, he paused and rested his chin on his fist. He said, “You know, those were the exact words she spoke, but not the tone of voice. I realize that I changed the inflection of what she said to make me look good and for her to appear guilty.”
Do you understand what he was saying? Sometimes we can share the words that another person has said, but by the tone of our voice we can completely change the meaning. That husband realized that the problem was more with him than with her! That realization began his healing process.
The modern media screams out of the terrors all around us from extremist groups, but none carry the message of the terrible damage done by the tongues of people. This is not to make light of the evil that terrorists inflict upon innocent people, but we also need to realize that we can do terrible damage with our gossiping tongues.
When we were kids on the playground, we sometimes would begin to call each other names. Did you ever do that? Probably not since you are perfect! I was not perfect! However, if you, like me, were involved in these kid practices, do you remember the phrase that we used to defend ourselves? “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me!”
How wrong that is! Our words can harm. We need to pray that the Lord will show us what terrible damage is done by our tongues. May we commit ourselves to praising, blessings and giving a good report about everyone. Look for the good in others and share that!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil