For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 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. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.

My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:2-18.

Just how effective is my testimony if the same person to whom I've just been witnessing in the front of the store walks by the back room a bit later and hears me telling filthy jokes? How many souls am I encouraging when I become a willing participant in gossip? In both instances I cited earlier, offers of prayer and Biblical counseling were rejected. The woman added us to her hate list; the young man was unwilling to acknowledge something was wrong. We continue to pray for them both.


It's not hard to understand what the Bible says about our tongues--the damage an unruly tongue can do. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. Matthew 15:18-20.

How many of us allow our children to come in from play and sit down at the dinner table without washing their hands? How many of us would be happy with our husbands if he came straight in from changing a tire and didn't bother to wash his hands before he began passing us the biscuits? We are very concerned with physical cleanliness, and so we should be, but too many times we totally disregard spiritual cleanliness. Certainly the first two can jeopardize our mortal health, but lack of spiritual cleanliness can destroy our eternal soul!

The world IS looking at those of us who profess to be Christians and they DO expect us to act differently than they do. The Bible tells us: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord... II Corinthians 6:17.

The Christian walk has got to be 24/7. It's not "When in Babylon, Do As The Babylonians Do". Nor is it a matter of being so heavenly minded that we're no earthly good, either. It's a matter of knowing that while we have to live in this old world of trials and temptations, we can show the world the value of knowing Jesus--how Jesus has made an eternal difference in our lives.


Who wants to be like me if I am always angry? If everything I say is depressing, if all I do is criticize, complain and whine, where's my witness of that peace that passes all understanding? Where's the change that Jesus is supposed to have made in me? Where is the "Victory In Jesus" that we sing about? Where is the evidence of the happiness and joy the world is trying to find?

I ask you to please not allow these things to creep into your life and hinder your Christian experience! If there is bitterness or anger in your heart, give it over to God. If you are holding something against someone, ask God to help you make an honest attempt to set it right. Get the anger, the bitterness, the strife, out of your heart and life so you can grow in your Christian experience. Remember, For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Whether we are a member of an earthly church or not, if we are a born-again, Bible-believing Christian, we are a member of the Body of Christ, and we need to represent Christ: ...first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.


It takes courage to reject gossip, for it may mean the loss of some friendships. It takes courage to realize that the lack of peace in our own hearts means we need to seek out what is missing. Bitter and sweet won't come from the same well--how genuine is the walk with Jesus Christ if we talk one way at church and another every where else?

The Bible says people have "itching ears"--they seek after what they want to hear. And they shall turn their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. II Timothy 4:4.

What are we listening for? What are we trying to get others to listen to?