Our tongue can get us into trouble

Tue Mar 17, 2015

Editor: The Bible mentions in James 3: 8 — “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Many of us do not realize how important our tongue is. The tongue can destroy, as well as built up and encourage.

As Vincentians, we are a people who love to talk. For many the tongue is not lazy. We have read and heard of many persons who got into trouble because of the tongue.{{more}}

There are many who, without knowing the full information, would use the tongue in making either a judgment or a defense. As a people, we are good at gossiping and propaganda. Now it is elections year, I suppose we would hear an increase of the tongue.

It is rather sad, when the tongue is used to slander and pull down persons. We use the same tongue to divide and sometimes unite. However, it is important to do as the Bible says, where it states that “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:22.

Let us learn to control the tongue. We have seen or heard where persons killed because of argument. Again, it shows the power of the tongue. Let Proverbs 15:1 guide us, where it states that, “a soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” The tongue can be used in a positive way, where it causes the wrath of someone to turn away.

It seems that in this country, everyone is an expert at everything. We always have an opinion on everything and are so quick to speak. It would do us good to keep silent for awhile, gather our information and then speak. Also, the words that come out of our mouth are as a result of what is in the heart. Therefore, when we constantly speak ill of others, it is because the heart is evil. When we see others for what they are and respect and speak good things, then it shows where the heart lies.

“Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21. I therefore encourage us to bridle our tongue. Let us be careful with the words we say. Let us speak positively and criticize constructively. Let us as a people seek to always guard our tongue. Thus the words that come out of our mouth would be sound words. Let us not be hasty in speaking, but rather speak wisely when we have known all the facts.

No wonder because of the hastiness of our tongue many have gotten into trouble. Let this elections year be one with a difference, in that we respect and appreciate each other’s viewpoint. Let us not create enemies, but rather build up friendship. Let us seek to impart only truth and not lies and propaganda. Let us not pull down one another, but build up one another with the truth. For indeed only the truth can set us free. Peace to SVG.

Kennard King