Bridle the Beast (6 of 12)
Series: Put Your Faith to Work
Keith Krell
James 3:1-12
''Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.'' I frequently heard this childish cliché when I was growing up. I even tried to convince myself that it was true. Yet, as I matured, I realized that this statement is a half-truth . . . and often half-truths are more dangerous than lies. The first half of this statement is true. You have most likely broken bones, torn ligaments, or severely cut or burned your body. Although these injuries all hurt, they have healed over time. But words are injuries that leave lasting wounds. If left with a choice, I'm confident that you would choose the wounds caused by sticks and stones than the damage caused by words.
This past Friday, I received an email concerning cyber bullying. It discussed how teenagers are anonymously bullying or stalking special needs students. These assailants text such comments as: ''Why are you still here?'' ''Clearly no one wants you.'' ''You only have special needs friends.'' ''You are ugly and have a horrible fashion sense.'' The article exposed how one twelve-year old girl took her life as a result of two girls bullying her via texting. Such behavior is repugnant! Cyber bullying is of such epidemic proportions that October has been declared, ''National Bullying Prevention Month.''
Bullying is just one of many sins of the tongue. There is also gossiping, slandering, lying, and whining, just to name a few. The tragic thing is: The tongue is a messenger that delivers the dictates of our hearts. So, every time you come across the word ''tongue,'' think ''heart'' because what you say reveals who you are. What do I mean by this expression? I simply mean that your words reveal who you are in terms of your true spiritual maturity. James 1:26 says, ''If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.'' ...
Series: Put Your Faith to Work
Keith Krell
James 3:1-12
''Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.'' I frequently heard this childish cliché when I was growing up. I even tried to convince myself that it was true. Yet, as I matured, I realized that this statement is a half-truth . . . and often half-truths are more dangerous than lies. The first half of this statement is true. You have most likely broken bones, torn ligaments, or severely cut or burned your body. Although these injuries all hurt, they have healed over time. But words are injuries that leave lasting wounds. If left with a choice, I'm confident that you would choose the wounds caused by sticks and stones than the damage caused by words.
This past Friday, I received an email concerning cyber bullying. It discussed how teenagers are anonymously bullying or stalking special needs students. These assailants text such comments as: ''Why are you still here?'' ''Clearly no one wants you.'' ''You only have special needs friends.'' ''You are ugly and have a horrible fashion sense.'' The article exposed how one twelve-year old girl took her life as a result of two girls bullying her via texting. Such behavior is repugnant! Cyber bullying is of such epidemic proportions that October has been declared, ''National Bullying Prevention Month.''
Bullying is just one of many sins of the tongue. There is also gossiping, slandering, lying, and whining, just to name a few. The tragic thing is: The tongue is a messenger that delivers the dictates of our hearts. So, every time you come across the word ''tongue,'' think ''heart'' because what you say reveals who you are. What do I mean by this expression? I simply mean that your words reveal who you are in terms of your true spiritual maturity. James 1:26 says, ''If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.'' ...
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