The social media sorely tempt many
people whose tendency is to let their emotions fly off the handle
without properly evaluating the consequences of their
angry words.
I see this sort of behaviour frequently on
the social media in general, and I dare say that it has
unhelpfully contributed to the current racial tensions, world wide,
in the wake of the murder (what else can we call it?) of George Floyd in the USA.
In the Bible, the book of James helpfully
warns us concerning the huge damage our tongues can cause...
"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a
small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The
tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire
the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell..." (James 3:5-6).
The book of Proverbs likewise has a lot of
instruction and warning on the use of the tongue. We do well to rehearse the
truths contained in this book of wisdom. Here are a few samples...
- Proverbs 10:11 The
mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the
wicked conceals violence.
- Proverbs 10:18,19 The one
who conceals hatred has lying lips and whoever utters slander is a fool.
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever
restrains his lips is prudent.
- Proverbs 11:12 Whoever
belittles his neighbour lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains
silent.
- Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips
endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment
- Proverbs 18:8 The words of a
whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down to the inner parts of
the body.
- Proverbs 18:13 If one
gives an answer before he hears, it
is his folly and shame.
I came across this helpful article
by Alan Jacobs [1]. These are some helpful rules to govern our tongue, helping us to think before we speak or act.
May it help me and you to be careful with
our words.
- I don’t have to say something just because everyone around me is.
- I don’t have to speak about things I know little or nothing about.
- I don’t have to speak about issues that will be totally forgotten in a few weeks or months by the people who at this moment are most strenuously demanding a response.
- I don’t have to spend my time in environments that press me to speak without knowledge.
- If I can bring to an issue heat, but no light, it is probably best that I remain silent. Private communication can be more valuable than public.
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