It's Only Words

Image linked from http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/04/07/funny-pictures-talk-to-da-hand-talk-to-et/

James 3:6 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.

When I attended a training recently in Port Dickson, I (and many other women and loving husbands) was offended by one of the many offensive things which the trainer had said. According to him (the quote below have been paraphrased for I couldn't remember the exact words said, but my understanding of it has been preserved),

"Women do not process the words that come out from their mouths. It goes straight from up here (gestures at the head) to here (gestures at the lips). Smart men who listens to these women would not comment much, because they know better."

I have been appalled by the male chauvinistic views of this particular person. To me, he has not been a professional trainer. But as I reflect upon the bible verses taken from James 3:1-12 today, I could not help but to admit that I have often made the mistakes of saying what should/could have been kept ... unsaid. During those unwise moments, what went through my mind then was the thought that if I already had formed those words in my mind, why not just say it out loud?

However, in James 3:6, it says that it's about controlling our words and by doing so, we control our ego/pride/conceit/sinful nature as well. By choosing the right words to say at the right time, we build bridges with those around us. Our words are what we use to communicate and they have the power to either build or destroy a relationship. As social beings, we often measure (in other words, judge) each other by our words and actions. Nobody would know the thoughts that are running through our minds at any time. Moreover, compared to spoken words, actions are usually executed after more deliberation.

Therefore, learning to control our tongue is in a way, controlling our self -- body, mind and soul.