Loose Lips Sink Ships

James 3:6. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction for it is set on fire by hell itself.

“Loose lips sink ships” is a term used in WWII to warn against unguarded talk. The United States Office of War Information utilized this phrase on posters during the war. The posters were created to warn servicemen and citizens to guard against careless talk about secure information that might be used by the enemy. The slogan particularly warned that talk about ship and troop movements and destinations, if overheard by the enemy, could result in our ships being sunk by German U-boats. The phrase has remained in use and today generally means to avoid all careless talk.

Though this phrase originated in the 1940’s the principle is clearly stated in God’s Word. James says that the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. A single word can turn the entire course of your life onto a path of good or a path of wickedness. Sharp words can ruin a relationship, lose a job, or burn bridges behind you. Unthoughtful and demeaning words can shape a person’s feelings about themselves or others. The old adage “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not really true. Words are powerful and they can hurt badly.

That is why the Bible continually warns that “whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech”(1 Peter 3:10). Do not give in to the enemy by using your words to sow discord among people and especially other believers. The devil knows that if he can get God’s children to bicker with each other, the gospel will be thwarted and many will turn away from the truth. Instead speak words of life by encouraging and building each other up.

The tongue is powerful! A tiny spark can start a forest fire and a careless word can ruin a life. Remember to keep a tight rein on your tongue because “Loose lips sink ships!”

Love,

Mama