“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:12) The tongue can be tamed by submission to the will of God. First, Christ must be received as Savior. Without Him the life will be without pilot or governor. Second, the life in Christ must be guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The only hope of control of the tongue is in Christ the Spirit of God.
Christians gossip and why? And who is a gossiper? A gossiper is a man or a woman who does not know the power of speech. In James chapter 3:5-6 hear the word of the Lord: “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”
The tongue has power to make or break. the tongue can bring joy or sorrow. The tongue can lift up or cast down. How many homes and churches have been brought to ruin by foolish, sinful gossip! How many lives have been made to suffer needlessly because of gossiping tongues. Joseph was slandered maliciously and made to suffer.
Daniel also suffered because of the evil tongues of His enemies. Yes, a gossiper is a reckless person who does not know the power of speech. The gossiper is as reckless as a drunken man with a high powered car. It is more than a terror for a man to drive down the road with a high-powered car, and under the influence of liqour. But such a one is no more dangerous than a gossiper who wrecks life and happiness by silly, foolish, or lying words.
Do you remember Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived. Here is what Solomon has to say about the power of the tongue: “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowlege shall the just be delivered.” (Prov.11:9)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof Prov.18:21. How true it is that gossip has been the assasin of many good man, and the atom bomb which has destroyed many a home and church. Christ says that in the day of judgment we shall give an account of the words we have spoken. How careful then we ought to be, and how we ought to take heed to our ways that we sin not with our tongue.
Christians become idle when they take time out to gossip. In (2 Thess.3:11), the apostle Paul comment on wasting time as a gossiper this way. “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy bodies.” And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”(1 Timothy 5:13)
Paul was forever condemning the wasting of time. His message was “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Time spent in useless chatter can be given to happier accupations-Amen. There are so many people who complain that they do not have time to read the Bible or to pray. Yet, a little check-up on their days will show that they have plenty of time for gossip and for foolishness. There are those who say they do not have time to witness for Christ, yet these same individuals spend much time in talking about others in a way which can help no one. The word condemns idle people who wander from house to house, tattling, and speaking things they ought not. May God have mercy on them!
A gossiper is a busy body and also a trouble maker if you please. “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a theif, or as an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men’s matters.”(1 Peter 4:15) The apostle Paul says, don’t bring trouble upon yourself by doing wrong. If you must suffer, then suffer as a Christian. Suffer for righteousness’ sake, and not because of your evil doing. Yes, friends, Some people are forever interfering in the affairs of others. Their own house is dirty and filty, but they love to pick fault with a neighbor. Their own lives need correction, but they prefer to spread gossip regarding not others. Their days are numbered and God’s judgment is sure. They are mean and vicious. A gossiper is usually mean and malicious. He or she is happier with the downful of others. Christian sympathy does not hold a big place in the heart of a gossiper. Quite often jealousy and gossip go together.
Man likes to criticize and slander those who have gone a little higher than he has. Remember, friends, it is easy to scatter stories, it is difficult to stop them. Slander is an injury which is hard to undo, even when one might desire to do so. Here is a good illustration that might help to get my point across to you. You can take a bag of feathers on top of a hill and when the wind blows, then open the mouth of the bag. What will you see, all the feathers will be blown away. Now, try to gather all of the blown feathers. My friends, this is true with a person’s character.
Christian sympathy does not hold a big place in the heart of a gossiper. Remember, friends, it is easy to scatter stories, it’s difficult to stop them. Slander is an injury which is hard to undo, even when one might desire to do so. The tongue is to be restrained-Amen. “Keep the tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” (Psalm 34;13) The Bible said, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” (Proverbs 13:3) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain (James 1:26)
For he that love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” (1 Peter 3:10). This restraining of the tongue can only be when we submit ourselves unto the Lord. Our lives cannot know the fulness of joy until we learn the secret of control through Christ. The tongue is to be used for Him. The command to every Minister is, to “preach the word.” This will be using the tongue for the glory of God. The command for every Christian is: “And ye shall be witnesses unto me.” Paul tells us “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The world needs faith.”
Let us therefore give to the world the Word of God that men might hear and believe and be saved. The whole life is to be submitted unto Christ. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1) Dear friend, Ask God for His forgiveness from this idol, the tongue. Self is an idol. It is when this idol is broken down that we will find the priceless jewels of peace and joy and usefulness. Break down every idol, cast out every foe; Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Father, may the power of your word draw souls to repentance. We invoke the presence of the Holy Spirit to convict hearts and draw them to the annointed Christ who will save to the uttermost is my humble plea, Amen.