why i must watch what i say…

here on the front porch we are looking at why i must watch what i say.

proverbs 21.23 (tev), if you want to stay out of trouble be careful what you say.

james uses another illustration.  he talks about a zoo.  james 3.7 & 8 (niv), all kinds of animals…have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue.  (it’s humanly impossible.  only GOD can do it.)  it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

of all the animals we’ve tamed, no man can tame the tongue, humanly speaking.  he says it’s restless.  that means it’s always liable to break out at any moment.

when lion country safari was opened out in california there was a big sign as you drove in – “do not get out of your car.  do not roll the window down.”  why?  those animals that look so tame and peaceful could rip your head off in a second.  restless, always liable to break out.  you never know what your mouth is going to say.

it’s like poison.  the word in greek is literally “snake venom”.  just a few drops can kill.  you can assassinate somebody with your words.  assassinate their character.  the tongue is a deadly weapon.

there is a presidential candidate in the news now who some women have said that a number years ago he sexually harassed them and i’ve thought, no matter if he is guilty or not he still will be crucified.  the tongue is a deadly weapon.

just a thought from the front porch…