Just Too Tough to Tame

We’ve all heard the phrase, “too tough to tame.” It’s been used as a title for numerous books, including romance novels! It’s a description sometimes used of dominating, relentless athletes. Sometimes it’s applied to executives, shrewd businesspeople or wily politicians. NASCAR refers to the demanding Darlington Raceway in South Carolina as “the track too tough to tame.”

But of all things, do you know what’s the toughest to tame? The tongue.

In the New Testament book of James, there’s a whole section subtitled in some Bibles, “Taming the Tongue.” It states, “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 also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:3-6). Talk about not mincing words!

The tongue can cause a little spark
that results in a great fire.

The passage notes many kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures can be tamed, “but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3:7-10).

Isn’t this true? Have you ever been victimized by someone else’s tongue? Have others suffered wounds because of yours?

We see evidence of the untamed, untamable tongue every day: TV and radio talk shows, where biased and bombastic tongues wag out of control. In the news, when the “offending” and the “offended” seem equally outspoken, interested only in self-expression and not with the lost art of listening to others. If there were some proven way to tame the tongue, most political campaigns would have to be disbanded.

Some of us have friends that delight in sharing the latest and juiciest gossip, even if disguised in the form of “prayer requests”: “Please pray for so-and-so, whose wife just ran off with such-and-such.” Runaway tongues meet nimble fingers on social media, where negativity and criticism run without restraint. If you can’t say (or comment) something bad about someone then don’t say anything at all, has become today’s prevailing philosophy.

I’ve been guilty of this myself. Caught up in the fervor of reading social media posts of those that are for or against something, whether it’s a political candidate, cause, or controversy, there’s nothing easier than adding a snide comment either in agreement or opposition. Email is another way of linking tongues with fingertips, expressing feelings in haste, only to realize too late we’ve already leaped when we should have looked.

The Bible was written long before the advent of social media, the Internet and email, but it was already warning against the reckless use of speech, whether pouring directly from the mouth, or in the form of words appearing on a page, smartphone, or computer monitor.

Ephesians 4:29 offers perhaps the soundest advice of all concerning what we say to others:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Admittedly, this is an exhortation I need to meditate on – and apply – on a much more consistent basis. As I’ve mentioned before, remembering Proverbs 10:19 has kept me from causing needless harm many times: “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” But there are still times when I slip, when I blurt out words that fit the “unwholesome talk” description. At such times, “Oops!” isn’t a good enough excuse.

So what’s the remedy for a wild, unruly tongue? It can never truly be tamed, but keeping some “words to the wise” in mind can help us avoid a lot of trouble. For instance:

• “Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk from your lips” (Proverbs 4:24).
• “A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue” (Proverbs 11:12).
• “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).
• “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).

So in these days when verbal assaults seem dramatically and tragically on the rise, perhaps we can do our part to speak – and write – in ways that prove to be sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Are we seeking to build up and benefit rather than tear down and destroy? Rather than being part of the problem, with judicious words we can become part of the solution.

Just Glad It’s Not Us?

When the words "Breaking News" appear on the TV screen,
many of us are inclined to think, "Oh, no! What now?"

“If it bleeds, it leads.” For decades, this has been the mantra of broadcast news. Have you noticed almost every time we turn on the news, local or national, the first 10-15 minutes are devoted to the latest killings, catastrophes and calamities? If I’m ever having a really good day, so good I can’t stand it, all I have to turn on the news to get over it. Instant gloom, delivered via smiling, talking heads. "No good news, unless there's nothing else!"

Why is this? Why do the news media think it’s so important to focus on what’s wrong today, or what could possibly go wrong tomorrow? There are numerous possible explanations, but the bottom line is, it’s what many of us want. It’s a matter of both fear – and relief.

We hear a report about an escalating tropical storm, or an extended drought, or approaching blizzard, and what follows? Fear. We’re told about a disease outbreak or some other dire situation we could confront, and how do we react? Anxiety. What does the report about an overnight killing, or terrible traffic accident, or devastating earthquake do for us? To be honest, after initial curiosity, and some sympathy, we feel relief. Because it wasn’t us or someone we know that was involved.

There’s a strange quirk of human behavior that causes us to take a vicarious interest in the misfortunes of others. Not that we revel in them. Not at all. But we realize tragedy, at least this time, hasn’t camped on our doorstep.

I remember being an assistant editor on a daily newspaper when a major fire broke out at a manufacturing plant, causing massive destruction. As I recall, no one died or suffered serious injury, but as our managing editor pointed out, it was “a good fire,” meaning readership of the newspaper that day would jump considerably as people sought to learn about what happened.

The reality is, we live in an imperfect, broken world in which bad stuff happens. A lot of it. And sometimes it happens to us, so we can’t help feeling somewhat relieved whenever it doesn’t.

This is one reason I find God’s promises in the Scriptures so comforting. They offer assurance that even in the midst of life’s trials, travails and tragedies, God is there. He’s not distant, and is actively involved in guiding and shaping our lives according to His perfect will.

Isaiah 41:10, for example, says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Then Jeremiah 29:11 offers this promise: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plants to give you hope and a future.’” I don’t know about you, but after listening to 30 minutes or more of gloom and doom on TV, I need that kind of confidence – God’s ultimately in control.

Recently a friend spoke about some personal struggles he’s been confronting, daunting ones with no simple solutions. But in the midst of them, he has reminded himself – as well as anyone who’ll listen – that the Scriptures assert, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

As Jesus declared to His followers, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:6-7). We live in very troubled times, with great uncertainty. But in the midst of horrendous events, we need not lose hope and despair. Because God is in control.

The Lord's not watching anxiously from the heavenly realms, wringing His hands and saying, “Oh, no! What am I going to do now?” He promises that when we place our faith and trust in Him, He is with us. When things are at their worst, we have the opportunity to see God at His very best.

Let’s Get Worked Up Over Work

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are obviously "bushed"
after a hard day of work at Walt Disney World.

“Whistle While You Work….” What a fun, lilting tune for the Seven Dwarfs marching off to the mines every day in the Walt Disney classic, “Snow White.” With a merry “Hi, ho,” Doc, Sleepy, Dopey, Bashful, Sneezy. Grumpy and Happy would say good-bye to their lovely, raven-haired guest on their way to harvest precious stones.

What did the dwarfs do with the gems – take them to their friendly local gemologist, collect them for an annual jewelers’ convention, sell them on eBay? Who knows? But they seemed to enjoy their work.

This being Labor Day in the USA, it’s a time most of us take the day off (ironically) to celebrate the virtues of honest work. But it seems rather than celebrating, what we need to be doing is remembering or recapturing those virtues, because many people seem intent on avoiding work as much as possible. Unwilling employment is surpassing unemployment as the greater dilemma.

Recently I heard about a major manufacturer in our region that’s having a very hard time recruiting and replacing employees, and it employs thousands in its plants. Many job applicants have virtually no work history, and even after multiple interviews and thorough screening, an alarming percentage quit the same day they’re hired and start to work, or soon afterward. Apparently, working isn’t their “thing.”

Whatever happened to the old-fashioned “work ethic”?

In some quarters there’s a major push to drastically raise the minimum wage so that unskilled, low-responsibility workers at fast-food restaurants, cafes and other places can receive a “living wage.” Yet studies indicate that in more than a few cases, when hourly pay increases, workers willingly – and eagerly – reduce the number of hours they want to work. I heard a rumor that they’re unionizing and will strike, demanding payday everyday and no work on payday.

One of the issues surrounding immigration, and illegal immigrants, is the reality that men and women coming into the country from less affluent lands are willing to perform jobs that many able-bodied individuals regard as sheer drudgery and beneath their station.

Not being a sociologist or politician, I’m not about to suggest solutions to such perplexities. But I do think it wouldn’t hurt to revisit the purpose and meaning of work.

Of course, work is hardly a new idea. It’s not something birthed during the Industrial Revolution. It was God’s idea, from the very start.

In the first chapter of Genesis, He commanded the first man and woman, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground…. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food…” (Genesis 1:28-29).

Some theologians refer to this as the “cultural mandate,” the first job description for humankind. Unfortunately, following the disobedience of Adam and Eve in eating from the one tree forbidden to them, one of the consequences was that work became hard. “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you…. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…” (Genesis 3:17-19).

Today, most of us don’t make our living from the ground. But the painful toil is still there, along with “thorns and thistles” in many forms. As a result, instead of awakening with a hearty “Good morning, Lord!”, we grumble instead, “Good Lord, morning!”

But even conceding that work is difficult, the fact God ordained it makes it sacred and a worthwhile pursuit. The Bible says much about the merits of hard work – along with the perils of laziness and lack of initiative. Here’s a sampling of what’s found just in the book of Proverbs:

-        “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).

-        “He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment” (Proverbs 12:11).

-        “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23).

-        “The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on” (Proverbs 16:26).

-        “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29).

It’s clear God intends for us to work and for our labors to be rewarding, challenging as they may be at times. But there’s one other divine purpose behind work: It serves as a way of worshipping our Creator. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

So if you have a holiday today, enjoy the time off. Relax. Refresh. Then when tomorrow comes, get to work!

The Importance of Remembrance

“Never forget where you came from!” I’ve heard this phrase in movies, read it in books, and many of us have even received this admonition from elder family members. It’s not just heritage and history; it’s also about understanding the journey of how we got to here from there, and the hardships, challenges and adversity in between.

So it’s disheartening to learn many Americans are virtually ignorant of foundational facts about our country. I’ve seen reports about college students that know virtually nothing about history – the American Revolution or why it was fought; who was engaged in the Civil War; who were the participants in World War II, or even the source of famous quotations. When asked who had made the statement, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” a number of young people were convinced it must have been a Republican. (I hope you know it was President John F. Kennedy, very much a Democrat.)

“But history is so…yesterday,” I imagine some might complain. “Why dwell on the past? This is today – we need to concentrate on shaping the future.” Yet philosopher and writer George Santayana wisely observed, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” We can’t learn from our mistakes if we’re unable or unwilling to remember what we did.

There’s also a positive way of looking at it: We need to remember the hard work and sacrifices made, the blood, sweat and tears shed in pursuit of noble goals that helped get us to where we’ve come, individually and as a society. Sadly, we care less and less about such things.

Remembering is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. Shortly before his death, preparing to pass the baton for leading the Israelites to Joshua, his protégé, Moses sought to urge the people of Israel not to forget the works of God in their past. “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past,” he said. “Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deuteronomy 32:7).

Then Joshua, King David, King Solomon and the prophets frequently hearkened to the past to remind Israel of the wonders God had done for them and urged them to remain faithful to Him. Sadly, the Israelites’ memories wavered repeatedly, often with disastrous consequences.

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ had a Passover meal with His closest followers, what we refer to as “the Last Supper.” As He broke the bread and shared the wine, Jesus was establishing what churches around the world observe as Holy Communion. “This do in remembrance of Me,” He said (Luke 22:19).

Underscoring the magnitude of that moment, the apostle Paul reminds us of it in 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. Christ is no longer on the cross, but we dare not forget what He did for us, the price He paid, giving His own life as the perfect and permanent atonement for our sins. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Whether we’re seeking to chart the course of our nation; reflecting on past generations within our family lineage; or thinking about our immediate family, where we are now and where we once were, this remembrance principle is critical. Many times, the key to discerning where we’re going is recalling where we’ve been – and what it required to get us from there to here. This is especially true for our lives spiritually.

Comedian Bob Hope used to sing, “Thanks for the Memories.” Indeed, we need to value them, appreciate them, and learn from them.