The Destructive Power of the Tongue
The Destructive Power of the Tongue
“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!”
James 3:5
Dear Kids,
Isn’t it surprising how small things can sometimes cause a tremendous amount of trouble? The tiniest paper cut stings and interrupts daily tasks. A toothache causes throbbing headaches and an aching jaw that inhibits eating. A blister on a toe can make it hard to walk. But often the most painful are biting words that spring from a small body part – the tongue. Just one unkind phrase is often enough to flatten a person. So beware of the destructive power of the tongue.
An Object Lesson in the Power of Small Things
I lived an object lesson in the power of small but destructive things last week. One evening I jumped into my minivan planning to run into town on a quick errand. To my dismay, when I backed out of my parking spot the vehicle galumphed like an elephant with a bad leg. I jumped out to survey the situation only to realize that my left rear tire was down-to-the-ground flat.
Dad ran out to the barn and wheeled out the air compressor, but the continuous hissing sound advised us that this tire was not going to be fixed with just a little air. “Great!” I thought, “This is a frustrating inconvenience that is going to disrupt a lot of my time!”
A Small Piece of Hardware and a Flat Tire
In the morning Dad pumped the tire again and immediately drove it to a local tire repair shop. I met him there to switch places so he could leave to attend an appointment. I settled down to wait, and after some time the mechanic reported in. He had patched the tire once he removed a metal bracket that had somehow embedded itself in the rubber. A tiny piece of discarded hardware had dictated a good portion of my previous night and early morning.
The mechanic dropped the destructive piece into a cup that held a variety of other strange things he had taken out of tires. All of them were small objects, but they had each succeeded in stopping large vehicles from functioning properly.
The Destructive Power of the Tongue
Inappropriate words, just like destructive shards of metal, embed themselves into a recipient’s mind and heart. They can disrupt a person’s day, week, or even a lifetime depending on the impact of the message. A parent who constantly criticizes may damage his or her child’s sense of self-esteem. This can carry into adulthood. The smallest trigger can bring back the painful words and laughter of a bully. Even what might be considered a trivial “joke” or “tease” can evoke feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness.
Small things can certainly create a lot of trouble, and the tongue is one of the worst. So carefully consider the things you say and the things you take heed to. The destructive power of the tongue can destroy a gullible listener with even worse results than an inconvenient down-to-the-ground flat tire.
Love,
Mama
Hi, I'm Sandy!
I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.
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This is so true and powerful!