Thought For The Day

Watch Your Mouth

Our Pastor/Preacher/Teacher is moving through the book of James at our Wednesday evening Bible Study. Usually about 30-40 minutes after he starts we have heard enough for one evening. It’s not that it isn’t wonderful (I am required to say that – he is my employer here at Lloveletters), it is, but I was so very glad when he stopped.

James 3 talks specifically about a person’s tongue (and James mentions it in every chapter of his letter) giving a clear understanding, if we are willing to hear it, that it is the most dangerous “weapon ” an individual can utilize to damage, injure, even destroy another person’s heart and soul. I doubt that anyone in the room failed to understand that it is highly likely that we have utilized that weapon again and again over the course of our life as adults.

Interestingly, I had spoken with an individual earlier in the day who spoke through clenched teeth about his encounter with others in the Church which he had left years ago. His heart is still damaged by wounds inflicted by the weapon of choice for others who were unwilling to be obedient to James’s admonition (God’s Truth). I have a friend, hurt by the words of another person, who says to me repeatedly, “I have forgiven, but I WILL NEVER forget.” He has yet to understand that “forgiveness” demands “forgetfulness,” or the process of restoration and healing will never be complete.

Being quick to say, “I’m sorry,” (often offered as a bandaid for an amputation) is almost always insufficient to repair the damage and despair brought about by wielding the weapon of speech. None of us (in my circle of people known) has mastered the art of choosing to “say nothing”  unless it is that which encourages, builds, teaches, corrects, and demonstrates genuine llove. The Enemy understands that we can damage so much, sometimes permanently, with just a word or two spoken in haste, anger, bitterness, without consideration of the cost.

My momma used to say, “watch your mouth.” I wish I had learned sooner, understood better, practiced well, and never had to say, “I’m sorry, I hurt you, and I was wrong. Forgive me.” How about you?

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