A little thing

 

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. – James 3.1-4

 

Did you ever think about your tongue? Its an ugly little thing, isn’t it? It is such a small body part. How big an impact could something like that have?

 

That little insignificant member though boxes way above its weight. In most cases it is the member that has the greatest impact. We can do far more permanent damage with our tongue than can even be imagined.

 

I used to hear a saying, and even my well-intentioned parents may have used. ‘Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.’

 

WRONG – words cause terrible hurt that can last longer than any break or bruise. We can all still remember things that were said that still hurt today.

 

This tiny body part controls our lives like ship’s rudder of a bit in a horse’s mouth. It doesn’t take much to do great damage. One tug on the bit, one twist of the rudder, and one word off the tongue can change everything.

Oh be careful little lips what you say