Monday, March 4, 2013

Controlling Our Tongues

     Today I am going to be talking about something that I find very important: our tongues. This is something that especially us girls have a hard time with. Especially with gossip. I speak from experience when I say that if we're not careful with what we say, we can loose friends because of it. In James 3:2-10 says, "For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

     Sometimes, we say things that we shouldn't. It is so easy sometimes to talk bad about others and to point out their flaws. But in Matthew 7:5 it says, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Before we accuse others of something, or say something bad about someone else, we need to make sure that we're not gossiping. Also, okay, I know that sometimes something happens to us and we need to talk to someone about it. And there's nothing wrong with that. But when you tell as many people as you can, "Did you know that *insert name here* did *insert random horrible thing here* to me?!" it becomes gossiping. 

     We also have to make sure that when we have a problem with someone, we go and talk with them about it. Not to other people. And when we do talk to them, we need to make sure and not to seem angry at them. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." We need to remember to keep our words pure, and to not gossip. We also, not only when addressing someone with an issue, but altogether we need to always make sure and speak kindly to each other. :)