What can build and tear down a nation, bring life and death, start and end every relationship under the sun, create and destroy, please and displease God? The answer is, some would say, the strongest muscle in our bodies. It holds 50 percent of the bacteria in our mouth on its surface (makes you think again about kissing that certain someone...) By now, you should know the answer: THE TONGUE. Until the last two facts, you might have thought the answer was words. That's okay. To me, it's the same difference.
I was watching an episode of Doctor Who with my husband the other day (it's an awesome show by the way--cheesy but awesome!) and in it The Doctor told the prime minister of England that he could tear down her station with just six words. He then went over to her right-hand man and whispered in his ear these words (I hope I'm not misquoting this): "Don't you think she looks tired?" After that you see her on television defending her health because a rumor has spread that she's too sick and/or old to rule. This is the same woman several episodes before who used fine speeches and an amazing use of words to become the prime minister.
Warning: I'm about to get personal...my father has many loving qualities, but he has a inimical tongue. It's not so bad now, but growing up, I'd constantly hear him thrash my mom with his words when he was in a grumpy mood. Foul words too. I hated those times. When I got older, I started defending my mom more. However, sometimes I'd feel responsible when dad became mean because I'd started the grumbling (I didn't want to stop at the store) and dad would take my complaints as permission and attack. I swore to myself I would not imitate him in this manner. Yeah, well, that's like a foal swearing never to gallop like its mom. Most of you don't see this, but I have a fierce temper. My husband, bless his heart, is usually the victim of my tongue.
The Bible says a lot about the tongue. The first part of James 3 talks about the importance of taming our tongue, although only a perfect person can. It makes me feel a bit better knowing Jesus is THE ONLY person without this problem. James also says that for such a small thing, the tongue can do immense damage. It has both the power for good and for evil depending on how it is used. Proverbs 12:18 states, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." A promise even goes with using the tongue wisely. 1 Peter 3:10: "For the Scriptures say, 'If you want to enjoy life and see many days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.'" Our tongue is the biggest hypocrite. From it come both deceit and praise (Psalms 52:4 and Psalms 66:17). How we use our tongue determines who we are. Proverbs 15:2 states, "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly." The tongue has great power with little force. Proverbs 25:15 states, "Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone." Proverbs 18:21 states, "The tongue has the power of life and death..."
So, how do we do the impossible? How do we tame our tongues? Honestly, I haven't figured that out yet. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just shut up. Bite the tongue. Hold back the words. James 1:19 advises us to be slow to speak. Proverbs 17:28 states, "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." A reddened and swollen tongue, injured by my own teeth, is better than uttering some of the words I say.
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