You know the old saying ,that "Sticks and stones" deal, does not prove out to me either sometimes. Words do hurt.
I pray I never have to be "stoned" as Stephen was, but to me, words said to you or about you, angers me and hurts me more than a good b*** kicking. I doubt that some would have any idea what I was talking about, as they have never been in any sort of fracas, outside of the school yard(and maybe not even then).
The Lord knew this too, as He had and inspired James write about it as recorded in James 3:
2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
preaching to me not you!!
So how do I take these scriptures?? DO I abandon them for a time? Set them aside, say I will pray and repent later for them? Or can I really walk the walk?? Is it possible?
dan |
