In this age of social media, the adage "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar" really has gone by the wayside. This supposed anonymity makes for heartless words to flow easy from our thoughts. I believe that in our school days having to actually speak the words aloud deterred some from speaking their thoughts. I know if I was unkind to someone I was less likely to speak it aloud then I would have been to post it on Twitter under a false persona.
Bearing this in mind I am sure what was spoken about in James 3: 1-12, in our times also applies to our written word. It is very sad when words written down can cause one to take their life. I can step out on my faith and say that God's heart breaks from the written as well as the spoken. So while we are taught to tame our tongues when we are in the company of others, I believe we are told to tame the tongue that lives in our mind. "Write it regret it, say it forget it" is another phrase that is passed around. While in part it is true, once words are spoken on paper, there is a record of them forever, but there is also a record kept in saying it. It is forever in the heart of the person on the receiving end of such words. I know that I have carried some very hurtful words spoken to me in my heart forever.
When God speaks of taming the tongue, I think we should in our day extend that to taming our hands. Think before you act, ask yourself, "Despite differences with the person in question, is what I am about to say or write going to show love and grace?" If it doesn't then why say it? I know it is very easy to belittle and gossip about those you don't like, but why do we not tame our tongues with those we love? I know in anger I have said things to my husband that I would love to take back and do over, but all I can do is say sorry and ask for forgiveness. While forgiveness should be sought, wouldn't it have been better to have no reason to ask for forgiveness in the first place? Just a thought.
Yours in Christ
Heather
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