3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
- How is the tongue like a fire?
- How does the tongue stain the whole body?
- How is the tongue a restless evil?
- What is the core problem behind tongue trouble?
- What kind of fruit does your tongue usually produce?
- Why is it risky to be a teacher, one who claims to know what is right?
Every time I read this passage I think about not teaching any more. I really do try to make sure what I say in a class (or with a keyboard) is true, as far as I understand today. But I can still remember things that I taught with full sincerity that I would not teach today. Scary. And then there is just everyday talk... Talk about scary. How many fires have I started? An angry word here. A misunderstood joke there. An uttered momentary frustration. Our speech does seem to be disconnected from our reason on so many occasions. As God said, "Who can tame the tongue?" Do your best to bridle that tongue today. Produce good fruit with that mouth, not burning cinders. Peace out.
2 comments:
I find this passage frightening. My tongue is generally the one thing that gets me in trouble. The first thing I used to do in the morning was to brush my teeth and then I would sharpen my tongue. I still have problems controlling that piece of equipment particularly if I am put on the defensive. The one thing that helps me is to make that part of my prayer each morning. Satan knows my weakness of using my tongue and I pray for Satan's failure to use it. I have had to ask forgiveness many times because of my tongue.
@waynew said "The first thing I used to do in the morning was to brush my teeth and then I would sharpen my tongue."
Oh how great an illustration! I find that my dull mind is particularly good at using a sharp tongue. Satan is most definitely able to use my dullness. Thanks for the comment.
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