Have you noticed how contention is rising in the
world? Hatred is fostered, false convictions made, wrong ideologies taught, lies
spread, deadly orders issued, crimes denied…..and all this perpetrated by the
smallest member of the human body….the tongue.
James compares the tongue to a small helm which has
the power to control big ships (James 3:4). Picture the size of the helm
compared to the size of a huge ship. Its’ power, however, comes from the
captain of the ship who uses the helm to make the ship go in the course it is
destined for. And so it is with the
tongue that operates under our directions. We use this tongue with ease and
many of us, if not most, exercise little control over it. In the words of James:
“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” (James 3:2). I believe
this. The function of the tongue is the hardest to control. I am in awe of
people who never say a bad word about anyone. I believe they are in control of
themselves in more ways than one.
The tongue is destroying the fabric of our society.
The technology and social media make this plain. I have seen lately a number of
YouTube videos where protestors against oil are blocking roads. They are
igniting such hatred of the public toward them and creating so much contention
that civilians are now undertaking control over the protestors. I saw one video
yesterday where a man in Panama fought with the protestors and having had no
success to persuade them, he pulled out a gun and shot to death two of them.
“And in that day shall….the whole world be in
commotion, men’s hearts shall fail them…and
the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound” (D&C 45:26,27).
We are turning on each other. And not just through wars. Cast your mind back on
the covid pandemic. The verbal conflict between people was unprecedented and
all because of the vaccine. One Australian member I know was so contentious
that he was fighting with the unvaccinated members and telling them they will
not be able to get temple recommends because they were disobeying the Prophet. The
tongue is also destroying families. One of my friends who only has two siblings
left of her family is sustaining venomous attacks from them because they have
left the Church and are doing all they can to destroy her testimony as well.
It’s a painful situation. We are turning
on each other in families, friendships, communities, political arenas and
global events. The tongue never sleeps. This was Satan’s design from the
beginning. So here’s the thing. He doesn’t have one but he is envious of yours…..so
he will use it. The more we are open to his influence, the more compliant the
tongue.
I think of the Saviour’s reserved manner and
impeccable control of His tongue when brought before the haughty and iniquitous
Herod to be tried. A man, a God, who could have destroyed His accusers by the breath
of His mouth stood silent before a man who was not worthy of his breath (Luke
23:6-11). He knew when to keep silent. A man who withered the fig tree the minute He spoke to it (Matthew
21:19), a man who commanded the waves of the sea to be still (Mark 4:39), a man
who raised the dead by his voice (John 11:43), a man who proclaimed He was the
‘resurrection and the life’ (John 11:25), a Son of God (Matthew 3:16,17) who
created worlds by the word of His mouth (Hebrews 11:3) who uttered the greatest
invitation ever issued to all who ‘labour and are heavy laden’ (Matthew 11:28),
knew when and how to use His tongue.
There is a time to speak and a time to stay silent. And
they each reveal which master we obey.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Jesus At Trial by Jon McNaughton)
