James 3:5-10
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. The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of teh body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and its itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise out Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
So you see, the tongue is deadly. It can hurt people and pull them down... We say words that built and words that destroy. Positive and negative. Encouragement and discouragement. Yeah you get the idea.
See the line I underlined, it's so true... Out of this same mouth comes praise and cursing. Gossiping/bitching about people. That's like a normal thing, but it's wrong... Saying bad things about others... "who have been made in God's likeness". This just isn't right. It's disgusting, yet true. I mean, God taught us to love everyone... Love, say good things, it's all on the good and bright side. We praise and worship Him together in church, at home, etc. And then when we gather with some friends, the most common thing is to gossip. That person who's being bitched about might not know, but look at the underlined words again. Even a simple statement like "she's such a flirt" can be considered a curse. (Sounds like a Sunday Christian?)
I'm sure everyone remembers quite vividly how they've been discouraged by their friends, parents, .... we can't seem to forget it. It's like glued to us and it affects the way we think about doing something. Failure to do that something, perhaps? "Why are you alllllllllllways like that?", "can't you be faster? do you know you're very slow?"
Likewise we shouldn't say those to our friends or juniors or whoever. Instead, twist it and encourage, not discourage. "You're getting it, just need a little more practice and you'll be fine." See the difference? Who likes to be discouraged la... And of course we have to mean what we say. Don't be sarcastic (that hurts too) or lie.
Whatever goes in, comes out. Read the word of God. It goes in, but does it come out?
Okay, I confess, I've been like that. Sometimes it's really cannot help it. But at least I try. I try not to take part in gossips. I try to encourage people or correct them in a nice way. (note: i TRY) Maybe cos' those workshops on leadership always emphasise on encouraging.
If anyone finds this post insulting, (I pray not,) please tag or something. I will not hesitate to take it down. This post is not meant to point or pick on anyone, seriously. It's like some reflection on Saturday's Youth Service. (speaking of youth, Faith (Ong) said backups sang well! haha yay.. it's all by the grace of God)
here's something from Desmond's blog... haha, interesting...
Words Of Wisdom 4
for this week, i'm gonna talk about LOVE! =D and FRIENDSHIP! lol. both together.
let's talk abt those whom are attached. yes. u hav a gf/bf nw. but what abt ur frens, lets nt juz push them aside n forget their existence. they're the ones whom accompanied u while u're single. so nw when u're attached, u forget abt them? tats nt right! if u think u cant find them becoz u're nw attached. i think tis is juz an excuse, ever heard of time management? USE IT! even if u have to go on dates on weekends, use the friggin' weekdays with ur frens! basically, juz don't forget ur frens lah.
okok, abt those, whom frens r attached. yep. u gotta accept it. ur fren has to "donate" his/her time to other areas. as his/her fren. wad can u do? COMPROMISE! accept the fact that they're attached n can no longer spend more time with u guys. juz because they cant spent as much time with u all doesn't mean they CAN'T hang out with u guys anymore. c'mon lah. wad if the one who is attached is u? how would u feel if ur frens walk out of u when u found love? u song meh? as frens, u should be instead happy for them!
try to achieve a win-win situation. brin ur gf/bf out when u go out with ur pals? tat can be a gd idea too! =)
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