“Bite your tongue Jeanette!”
Have you ever said that to yourself? Well, other than the ‘Jeanette’ part.
Biting your tongue is not pleasant, but in this instance, it’s usually a good idea. In this case it is to stop yourself from speaking, even though you really want to say something.
“Biting one’s tongue by holding it between the teeth naturally prevents speaking. It is clear that this is where the idea originates; it is not clear, however, when the phrase first became common in everyday use.” (Source: writingexplainded.org)
I cannot think of a single time where I forced myself to be quiet and later regretted it. I can however think of several times where I allowed my tongue to rule and felt regret for a very long time after.
There is something to be said about the untamable tongue and James, Jesus’ older brother, had something to say about it. He wrote that it is critical for us to guard our tongue.
“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
“Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things…” James 3:2-5 ESV
Did you notice the verbiage? We all stumble, in many ways, but, if we do not stumble in what we say, we are perfect.
I’m sure that is a whole other study, but If found that thought-provoking. It sounds to me like, there are many little ways we are going fall and fail, but if we guard our tongue and what we say and how we say it, we do well.
I remember once being told the tongue was the strongest muscle in the body. And while that is not true in a physical sense, it is most certainly true in the sense that it can cause much damage, it can also cause much joy. The tongue is very powerful.
Our mouth-design, tongue, teeth, saliva, lips, are truly a miracle and a blessing from our Creator God!
“The tongue is a tough worker. It is made up of groups of muscles and like the heart it is always working. It helps in the mixing process of foods. It binds and contorts itself to form letters. The tongue contains Lingual tonsils that filter out germs. Even when a person sleeps, the tongue is constantly pushing saliva down the throat.” (Source: Science Reference Section, Library of Congress)
I had never heard of Lingual tonsils until today. It’s very fascinating.
According to Wikipedia, the lingual tonsils are a collection of lymphatic tissue located in the lamina propria of the root of the tongue. This lymphatic tissue consists of the lymphatic nodules rich in cells of the immune system. The immunocytes initiate the immune response when the lingual tonsils get in contact with invading microorganisms such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Think of that! Nodules on our tongue that are rich in cells of the immune system. Amazing!!
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14 ESV
The tongue is, frankly, astonishing! So powerful, in so many ways and I’m sure most people have no idea how powerful the words they speak are. Words can be used for bad, and they can be used for good.
I don’t know about you; I struggle at times with my words. I’m getting better, but I have not arrived yet.
“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
The tongue is described as a restless evil, full of deadly poison. OUCH.
I used to hang out with someone that had a filthy mouth. I didn’t realize it at first and she presented as a Christian. I can remember how shocked I was when out of her beautiful face one day came the ugliest words. I thought to myself, you praise God with that same mouth?? It made me feel uncomfortable, but later I realized she was only voicing out loud things and words I had thought about in secret.
James addressed that very thing as well. He wrote, with our mouths “…we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
Christian’s need to stand apart from the world in many aspects, the least of which should be our language; the words we speak when we are angry; the words we speak when we are happy, they should be spoken with a sweetness that we don’t hear “in the world”.
James asked the question:
“Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?”
“Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs?”
“Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” James 3:5-12 ESV
We cannot produce fresh, living water, if we are sitting in a salt water pond.
There is an old expression that goes something like, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” In other words you will be more successful in life being nice to people.
The same can be said for our responsibility of showing Jesus to others. We cannot make the Savior appear attractive if we ourselves are ugly. Our words need to be sweet honey, at all times.
King Solomon wrote: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NASB
It’s not always easy. In fact, I have discovered some people are next to impossible to get along with. Try harder Jeanette and bite your tongue.
My prayer today, for you and me, is the same of King David’s son all these thousands of years ago, “Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—then guide me on the road to eternal life.” Proverbs: 16:23-24 The Message Bible
Guide me on the road to eternal life Father!
by Jeanette Stark – Friday, May 19, 2023
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