“Be Positive In Thought, Word And Deed!”

“Be Positive In Thought, Word And Deed!”(Jam.3:1-12).
“Speech is silver silence is golden.” So to say, it is often better to remain silent than to speak. “…the value of our words can be compared to that of silver, but the value of silence is as precious as that of gold. More than often, we open our mouths to speak and speak what may not be correct and true or sometimes speak more than necessary and even get into trouble.” This may explain why at the arrest of a suspect, the suspect is warned, “you have thr right to remain silent because anything you say may be held against you…”
A man saw a fresh human head at the outskirts of the village. It was still fresh with blood, so he got curious and asked the head, “Head, what has killed you?” “My mouth has killed me,” replied the head.
The man asked about three times and had the same response from the bodiless head. He ran to the village and told everybody who cared to listen to him that he just saw a bodiless head that spoke. He urged the people to follow him and see for themselves. He was known for running his mouth with unfounded stories. The people agreed to go with him on the condition that if the head does not talk they will cut his own head and place beside the other head. He was quick to agree with their terms.
He led the people to where the head was. No matter how many times he asked the head why it was there, the head remained mute. At last they cut his head and placed beside that head. As soon as this happened the head turned to him and said, “Didn’t I tell you that it is my mouth that has killed me? You are now beside me because of your mouth.”
The goat told the dog, “What you have just seen and are barking is what I saw long ago but chose to remain silent.” it is not everything that the eyes see that the mouth must talk about.
We know that it is a worst evil when good people see the bad that is happening but decide to stay silent. It is important to speak, but it is wise to think through your words before you voice them.
Words can build just as much as words can destroy.
As small as the tongue is, it makes great boasts and can create real dissaster in the same way that a stick of match can set a whole forest on fire.
We believers use the tongue to praise God, so we cannot at the same time use the same tongue to curse people who are created in the image of God.
Good or bad as the tongue may be, it is only a conduit transmitting the content of the heart. The Lord Jesus Christ says “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” So he urges us to “make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad…Men are going to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned”(Mt.12:33-37).
According to a wise man of old, among the six things that the LORD hates and the seven things which are detestable to him are: “…a lying tongue…a heart that devices wicked schemes…a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers”(Prv.6:16-19).
James advices that not many of us should presume to be teachers because teachers “will be judged more strictly.” We are all vulnerable. “We all stumble in many ways. “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” But do we have such a person?
Bottomline dear friend: Let us be at our best by always using our tongues to build and not to destroy; to unite and not to create dissension. Above all, to praise God and not to curse others!
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit help me to always think through before I speak and to positive ends. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.