The tongue is a tricky little thing. Though one of the smallest parts of the body, it can get us into such a mess in a hurry. For from the tongue can come good or evil - depending on it's use by it's owner.
One of the biggest challenges we face daily is taming the tongue. God warns us of the evil that we can do with our tongues - lying, gossiping, criticizing, hurting, and cursing - just to name a few. In Psalms 52:2, we see that, "Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully."
You see, Satan, the father of all lies, knows how to make lies, gossip, and criticism appealing to us. He can package the evils of the tongue in the most seemingly innocent of packages. He's a pro at getting us to fall for them too - whether we are the listener or the one speaking them! Criticism (gossip) made by others under the guise of 'concern' or 'an opinion' is a very slick disguise. But the dangers of the tongue can go even further than just gossipping or criticizing. God even warns us of false teachers and prophets. In Matthew 7:15 we see that we are to “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves." This has to be the most dangerous of evils from the tongue as it can lead people astray.
A twisted tongue also causes division and strife between friends. "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separates chief friends." (Proverbs 16:28) Sadly, many of us have been on the receiving end of this at one time in our lives. You know that friend who is always giving you "The Latest" about others? Do you wonder what they are saying about you when you aren't around? When we lend an ear to 'whisperers,' we are setting ourselves up for hurt and suffering. Is the pain and grief we suffer as a result really worth lending an ear to gossipers and critics? Or maybe we are the gossip or critic, believing we've done nothing wrong - at least from our viewpoint! We don't understand why our friends avoid us or have seemingly turned against us. In either case, we are the casualties of the evil that can be invoked by the tongue. The good news is that there is healing and forgiveness through Christ. We can make things right if we seek His Will in the matter. There is reconciliation for those wholly submitted to Christ and who genuinely seek reconciliation (not retaliation).
In the end, no matter how someone may coat their words under 'genuine concern', WE need to put a guard over our heart and ears. Filter what others are saying through the Holy Spirit. Ask God to help us discern the words of others. Keep up our guard and stay in tune with the Holy Spirit. Most importanly, we must seek God's guidance. His Truth is the only one that counts!
In His Love, Cathy
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