Words
The Power of Words: The Joke Of Life
In a way, biblical statements about the right and wrong use of the tongue are easy to preach on. They require little explanation, and the hearers know from experience that they are true. In another way, however, the statements are difficult to preach on, because preachers are as likely to err as anyone else. People have succeeded in taming birds and other animals, but no one has succeeded in taming the tongue.
We all know the truth of the saying,”When words are many, transgression is not lacking”, and therefore we should discipline ourselves to use words sparingly and selectively. The problem may not be that we set out to injure someone (though there are times when that is the case), but that our ability to control the tongue is not as good as we thought.
Words need not be directed at a particular person in order to do damage. They can do damage even when overheard by someone outside the circle of conversation. Ugly words stick in the mind — which is one reason why we must be especially careful of the words we use within the hearing of children. But fine words also stick in the mind, and every time we say something worthwhile, it could have unexpected and lasting benefit in the life of someone who is listening.
Fine words are therefore of priceless value:”the tongue of the righteous is choice silver”, “the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel”, and “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver”. It is sobering to remember what Jesus said about giving account of our words in the day of judgment, but that ought not to make us timid. God wants us to use our tongues helpfully but truthfully. “The tongue of the wise brings healing” and “truthful lips endure forever”.
Links About The Tongue
- Tongue Diagnosis
- Care For Your Tongue
- Geographic tongue
- Sore Tongue
- Tongue Disorders
- Taste Information
- Human Tongue
- Human Tongue Anatomy
Fuel For The Fire
Immeasurable damage can be done through a trivial piece of gossip. “For lack of wood the fire goes out; and where there is no whisperer, quarrelling ceases”. Something might begin as idle talk, but through the addition of personal comments, half-truths and exeggerations it finishes up doing great damage. “A great forest can be set ablaze by a small fire”.
One problem with gossip is that we always think the problem applies to others, not to us. Some people might admit to being too talkative, and others might admit to being sharp-tongued, but it is difficult to find anyone who would admit to being a gossip. We have even learnt how to gossip by using a spiritual tone of voice. The truth is, according to the wise man, that ‘those who belittle others lack sense’, whereas ‘those who keep quiet have understanding’. While ‘talebearers reveal secrets’, ‘the trustworthy keep a matter hidden’.
If not checked, gossip can become a habit; worse still, an enjoyable habit. “The words of the gossip are like delicious pieces of food; they go down into the inner parts of the body. They give people a satisfaction that arises only because they consider themselves to be free of the failures they report in others. But such self-confidence leads to self-deception. To feel superior is a sign not of wisdom, but of folly.
There is however, another kind of speech that can become a habit — again an enjoyable habit, and again likened to something enjoyable to the mouth and the stomach. Pleasant words, like honeycomb, are sweetness to the soul and health to the body. They also have a far-reaching effect, but in this case the effect is helpful, not destructive. As wisdom teaches people to use the right words, their speech is not only pleasant but also persuasive.
