"The Poison Tongue"

[hadirfuss]

I once knew an extremely courageous lady.
She was courageous for several reasons.
For one thing, she was waging an uphill battle against alcoholism.
For another, she was doing all she could to restore her relationship with God.


It's tough to start over. It's even tougher to start over when people won't let you.
She chose a small church to attend, a church where she knew many members.
She thought she'd be received there.


One Sunday she parked her car near the church building and got out.
As she walked toward the front door, she overheard two ladies talking nearby.
The stinging words were not meant for her ears, but she heard them anyway.


"How long is that alcoholic going to hang around here."


She turned and went back to the car.
She never entered another church building until she died.
Those ladies meant no harm,
yet seemingly painless gossip did irreparable damage.


These five ideas will help us control our tongues:
1. Never say anything about someone that you wouldn't say to their face.
2. Never say anything about someone unless he/she is there to respond.
3. Refuse to listen to someone else's gossip.
4. Initiate positive statements about people whom you're discussing.
5. Remember, "The tongue...is a fire" (James 3:6).


Ephesians 4:29 "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." [niv]

 

[Dreamer]

That is a wonderful post, hadirfuss. I would do well to follow it. Gossip really hurts people, and more importantly, it hurts the cause of Christ.

Dreamer

 

[Coconut]

It's tough to start over. It's even tougher to start over when people won't let you.

Well said hadirfuss. And might I add, its a disgrace to us and to Christ, when those same people call themselves the people of God.

 

[Snowrose]

Hello hadirfuss,

Thank you so much for sharing this story. It is a really shame that as Christians we are quick to judge those who still struggle and instead of encouraging them, we judge quickly and are harsh with our words.

When I was growing, I was told that if I had nothing good to say, I shouldn't say anything at all. Even our Lord and Savior has told us to encourage each other. Was He really speaking of only those within the church walls? I don't think so.

There was another verse I was looking for that speaks of encouraging. But in 1 Thessalonians 5: 14- 15, it says "And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." The key words are encourage, help, patient, and always be kind.

We are to be a reflection of who Jesus is. So let us shine and shine brightly. God bless you, hadirfuss for reminding me to be that for Jesus.

Best wishes,
Snowrose

 

[rizs]

When I was growing, I was told that if I had nothing good to say, I shouldn't say anything at all. Even our Lord and Savior has told us to encourage each other. Was He really speaking of only those within the church walls? I don't think so.

what you are saying is correct and i love it

and i love it because the way were saying seems good

but some people forget that without God we cannoty stay on earth

well i thank you so much and i hope some people will learn from it

 

[the new justin]

Great advise hadirfuss, but easier said than done. I am not one to gossip alot or in a harmful way, but still find myself falling into others gossip when addressed to me, instead of refusing to listen to it especially at the work place.
I dont always realize what im doing at the time but tend to feel bad afterwards. Im woking on it slowly, because I realize that gossip can have a huge impact on a persons life weather we see it or not. It can end with us.