James, one of the first leaders of the Jesus Movement, wrote about the tongue. It’s a small part of the body, he says, yet like the bridle in a horses’s mouth or the rudder of a ship, it can move great things. Like a forest fire started by a small fire the tongue is a fire.
Every species of beast or bird or reptile or sea creature can be tamed—but not the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Every one of us has experienced recriminations from saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Each of us has hurt someone sometime by saying something hateful.
And yet we believe we have the “right” to say whatever we want whenever we wish—without suffering from the repercussions.
Why are we shocked when we spread lies, half-truth, hate and then people respond strongly against us?
We can say whatever comes to mind first. That doesn’t mean we should. Wise people choke back those first comments, count to 10 or even 100, and then see the harm those words would cause and how better off the world would be if we stay silent.
Words have power—use them wisely.
Faith Venture 
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