Murder by Mouth
There are words in our English language, and I suspect every language on earth, that were originally harmless and very appropriate to a specific noun, verb, adverb or adjective, until someone used the word to describe another human in a derogatory manner, demeaning their character while informing everyone in hearing distance, the speaker felt they had no right to their oxygen. The word depicting a female dog is one that comes to mind, followed by the common name for a long eared beast of burden. With the use of these words and the attitudes they imply, we subtly order our interpersonal world.
The tongue is the most deadly weapon on earth. With words we murder character, wreak havoc, destroy stability and leave fear and confusion in the space we occupy. The tongue is also a major player in spinning the truth. Bending truth is a survival instinct that begins at a very young age and is so casual it can go completely unnoticed and unchecked. We are the center of our own little universe, mine is called Gretchen World, where everything comes back to us and our best interest. But scripture gives strong warning regarding our use of careless words. The tongue also is 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. James 3:6 He continues in verse 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.
I exist in a world filled with both children and adults. What creates the greatest difficulty in the hours of my day? My mouth and the mouthes of those around me. We celebrate free speech and I’m all for it, but freedom isn’t a right to abuse, it is the greatest responsibility we are given. The freedom we enjoy was won by those that didn’t live to reap its benefit and the greatest honor we can return to them is to use their sacrifice to the greater good of mankind.
The weaving of my DNA left me with a very short stature, a dominant left hand, an inability to make sense of phonics and a propensity to zig when I should have zagged. How do I know these things are unacceptable? Because someone said so. The flip side of this story is that I can hold my own in a sassy match up with most anyone. I could probably win the Sassy Crown if there were such a contest, but I heard Pastor Steve Hall, Beebe Church of the Nazarene, state “If you’re going to argue, argue to change the world, not win a war of words.”
God gave us the gift of communication. There is no sweeter music than the laughter of children and no sharper double edged sword than a wicked, hateful tongue. What we say matters a lot and yes, we will be held to the highest standard of accountability. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
Love,
Gretchen
I love this. It is so eloquent and clear and airtight. Who could challenge this logic. Who does this not convict? Who couldn’t be humbled by this ? I would imagine a person who isn’t has a bigger problem. Pride