Many a congregation, family, business or classroom has been thrown into turmoil because someone has taken it upon him or herself to spread the word about this or that, from their perspective of course. When that happens, people begin to wonder about the people criticised, whether they can be trusted, and whether all can work together. The thing about the tongue is that once the word is launched, it can t be recalled. They are kind of like the nuclear missiles that Russians and Americans were monitoring as we moved into a new year. Once they were in the air there was no getting them to come home nor was there a self-destruct sequence.
Words launched by the tongue are just like that.
The judge then tells the jury that they are to discount what they have just heard, or the lawyer calmly agrees to withdraw the question. Everyone knows that when the words are spoken, no judge anywhere can erase them from the hearer s mind. So far, I have been speaking of the ill effect that the tongue can have on people. We all know what it feels like to be the victim of gossip or rumour. And truth be told, I know that none of us has controlled our tongue at all times.