"3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
I don't have to ask you if you've ever been hurt because of someone else's tongue. I know you have. In fact, I would bet that you can remember things someone said about you decades ago because you still bear the scar of their stinging words. Worse yet, have we been the ones to do the stinging of someone else that can last decades.
Why is this so hard for us? Verse 8 tells us that no human being can tame the tongue. When I read that, I was shocked. No one can do it. We are going to continue to say things that we later regret; we will never get it perfectly. Yet, the Holy Spirit has been given to us to help us in this way. In Ezekiel 36, God said, "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees." The Holy Spirit can help us with this, reminding us when we have been mocked to be merciful, when we are provoked to be patient, and when we are taunted to speak tenderly.
Verse 6 above tells us that the tongue can corrupt the whole body and even one's course of life, and it is itself set on fire by hell. Satan himself uses our tongues for destruction and division. I find it interesting that when we picture snakes we tend to first picture legless, slithery creatures, but the second picture that comes to mind is that small, piercing tongue. Of course, we know in the Garden of Eden, satan was a serpent as he used his tongue to convince Eve to go against God. Tongues are so powerful. Yet, we do have to choose to have some control over them. There is some wisdom in the old saying, If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. David said, in Psalm 39, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” Not joining in with others can be half the battle. Praying for patience, so that we don't have to say the thing that immediately comes to mind, and praying for discernment to know what to say at the right time are two ways we can invite the Holy Spirit to help us with our tongues.
The opposite of all of this is true as well, however. The tongue can also be used for building up, encouraging, and inspiring. Some of the greatest women in my life have used their tongues to speak words of encouragement directly to me. My parents have spoken very wise words to me. My husband speaks very loving words to me. Let's not forget the total power our words have -- for the good or the bad! Proverbs 12:8 says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Destruction or healing? It's our choice today.
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