Do you agree that one of the greatest things in life is to be able to take a nice bath or shower? Seriously, washing your hair with shampoo and getting clean with some soap is awesome. It helps you wake up and it also helps you go to sleep. Ever thought about where the soap we know today came from?
Well it seems from a little research that this substance, or one like it, dates back to around 2500BC. Now I wasn’t around but that’s what I am told. So for many years soap has been in existence. It makes you feel clean, it removes some bacteria, and even cleans the mouth. Wait! Cleans the mouth?
A couple of nights ago one of the greatest basketball players on earth gotta little chastising from his mom. It seems as though Steph Curry, during an intense game, yelled out in to the crowd that this was his **stinking** house, referring to the Warriors not losing on their home court. I am using a nicer word for the blog. All was well til his mom heard his choice of words and decided to scold him.
It really is crazy to think of the language that people use nowadays. It seems that the tongue is a little hard to control sometimes. What does the Bible have to say about this problem?
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
I have heard some very salty language from people in my lifetime. Do words we use reflect who we are? You tell me. It’s hard not to think negative about someone that using foul language without regard. It is what it is. I once heard a speech by a very prominent business man in which he said some horrible words from his stage. Think I heard anything else he said? Nope!
Be careful, especially when are trying to reflect Christ, of the language and even the tone we use. A picture can speak a thousand words but one foul word does the same.
What if rather than using words with negative connotations that we concentrate on lifting others up? Not disparaging and discouraging words but words of support and love. I think that would make a difference. You in?
A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions.
When they saw how deep the pit was, the rest of the dismayed group agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.
Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and that the two frogs wouldn’t be in that situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible.
The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead. The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after several hours of desperate effort were quite weary.
Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellows. Spent and disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died as the others looked on in helpless grief.
The other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had, although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted. His companions began anew, yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and — wonder of wonders! Finally leapt so high that he sprang from the pit.
Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and then gathering around him asked, “Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?”
Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.
This simple story contains a powerful lesson.
“There is life and death in the power of the tongue.”
Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help them make it through the day. Your destructive words can cause deep wounds; they may be the weapons that destroy someone’s desire to continue trying.
Speak life to (and about) those who cross your path. There is enormous power in words. If you have words of kindness, praise or encouragement — speak them now to, and about, others. Listen to your heart and respond.
Someone, somewhere, is waiting for your words.
torreygarrison 