We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
- James 3:3-6
In the ancient world, many cultures considered words as beings. You could literally speak peace into a room by saying "peace be with you." Words were alive - able to bring life or death. Curses are an example of how words were taken very seriously - uttering something had the power to change a person's destiny.
In some ways I wish we still had that respect for words.
As you probably know, last week presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke about Senator John McCain in a speech. He conveyed that he didn't see John McCain as a war hero because he was a prisoner of war. "I like people that weren't captured," he said - setting off a firestorm of reaction in the media.
Donald Trump did what we all do in our minds from time to time but then check it with other people to see if it is stupid. It was stupid - but who does Donald Trump have in his life telling him his thoughts are stupid? So he just said a stupid thing. McCain wasn't a war hero because he was a POW - he is a war hero because he refused to blab while being tortured . . . for years. That is remarkable and heroic.
The political dimension of it is not as important as the spiritual one. People are drawn to Trump because he speaks his mind - it is his calling card, at least for now. Some people love that he is not a politician and just says what he says. But no matter how brave you are with your words, unless you are wise with them as well you will get burned.
Regardless of how much money you have, a stupid thought is still a stupid thought. If you have the courage to speak a stupid thought, that just might make you stupid. That is why the Bible tells us to be careful with what we say - not because we are scared of how people might take it, but because words have impact on people's lives.
Now forget the scandal between McCain and Trump. You have enough to sort through in your own relationships. Think through your latest email to your son. Examine the last voicemail you left for your wife. The text to your mom. The argument you had with your boyfriend. Tame your tongue now.
Your words have the power of life and death . . .
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