Bite Your Tongue!

I read a story about author, Catherine Marshall. She discovered in herself a shortcoming that was irritating her. She found that she had the problem of being critical of others. After much justifying, analyzing and prayer, she decided on an experiment of sorts. She vowed that just for one day she would fast from criticism.

While with friends and her husband, she found that she had trouble contributing to the conversation without saying something that was judgmental. So for most of the day she was quiet. Then in late afternoon, something miraculous began to happen, she began to feel lighthearted and positive thoughts invaded her mind. Catherine’s experiment for one day became a lifetime habit.

I fall prey to such behavior, myself. I will be at work or with friends and people began talking negatively about someone or something and I want to be included, so I just add my two cents. It is a human habit, a human trait, but is it Godly conduct?

Romans 14:13 tell us, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.” I never considered that my judging and criticism might put a stumbling block in my brother’s way, by encouraging those in conversation with me to continue disparaging words, thoughts and ideas. These types of discussions just continue the endless cycle of negativity, each comment feeding the next until the sequence can not be broken. Often times, these words get back to someone and they are hurt or angry, causing the chain of destruction to continue. My grandmother used to snap at us when we were children, “Bite your tongue.”

I saw a part of me in Catherine Marshall’s story today and it was a great reminder of how powerful the tongue can be. We can do more damage in a few seconds with our words than even the strongest weapons! Ephesians 4:29 reminds us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Today, I will try to follow this verse and Catherine’s example. Today, I will try not to judge others and if I do, at least I will not say it out loud. Today will probably be a very quiet day!

(All scripture taken from the NIV Bible)

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Donetta Garman is the author of "Growing Up Ugly" (Tate Publishing, 2008) and a wife of a rural church pastor. She resides in Osceola, Missouri with her husband of twenty one years, Gar Garman, on an idyllic spot in the Ozark foothills.
© 2008 Donetta Garman - All rights reserved. Used with permission.