It Doesn't Cut

Words are powerful things. They can build up great friendships, but, at the same time, they can tear down friendships. They cut like a knife when they're spoken in the wrong way, or to tear some one down, but they smooth over the wound like a lotion when they're spoken to build some one up. It really is amazing. You know, I've had a lot of scratches, bruises, burns, cuts, blisters, sore muscles, etc., but none of them have ever hurt as much as words do. Words are as real as life. When some one screams at you, you feel every. single. word. When some one praises you, your life bursts with joy. When some one points out all your problems, you hear it all. When some one tells you that they love you, you NEVER expect them to say, "Haha... Just Kidding!" Yep, words are amazing things. Our family was studying a passage in James... James chapter 3. It talked all about the tongue and the damage it could do. (I'm posting it at the bottom of the page.) It's a good passage, and one that I think every one ought to know. I'm sure we all have terrible problems with bridling our tongues, and that's probably why all the church splits happen today. Churches are splitting, brothers and sisters are offended, people are leaving... It's all becoming one. big. mess. And, you know, it's all because of one small object - the tongue. Some times I think I would do better with my tongue cut off and my fingers lost from frostbite (That way, I wouldn't type my big mouth out either ;)). Yep, but, I guess I'm just gonna have to learn to control the words I say and type. This post isn't to any of you. (If you feel like applying it, that's fine.) This post is for me. I've been awfully convicted of this lately, and I feel like some thing of this sort may be in order for me. ;) Words cut, deep. So, I guess I had better stop talking and start doing. Time to give my animals attention, and my family some love! :)

James 3

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

~Margaret