Hello mi neighbour! | Hold your tongue when tempted to misuse it!

Before you proceed, do this for me: use your thumb and index fingers to hold your tongue – squeeze it. Now, say these words:’ I hate you!’ How did that work? That’s right, you couldn’t, and I am happy for that! The tongue was not made to utter those words!

The tongue is powerful and, left uncontrolled, it can make the California wildfire look like child’s play! Uncontrolled tongues have caused the demise of hundreds of thousands of lives as they “set cities ablaze”. Ahh … those words foolishly spoken in anger and could not be taken back! However dirty or evil one’s thoughts may be, unless they are voiced by the tongue, they shall remain silent. Now, with an unbridled tongue, say these words: ‘I love you.’ Feel the difference? Tongues were made for this!

Imagine what would have happened if, right after church service, ‘Sister B’ had literally held on to her tongue! She could have been alive today. Her husband, who was the preacher for the day, had had his fill when they got home that afternoon. She started her tongue wagging again, and he lost his temper with the help of the ‘tempter’ – Satan. Sad, sad, sad! One fist and she was out cold. Yes, that’s a true story. Of the tongue, the Book of Wisdom says, “It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison”. People use it to praise God,and misuse to curse His creatures. The tongue is dangerous when out of control! “Hol’ him Joe!”

We have work to do! Come on wife/husband, children, coworkers, neighbours, everyone! Let’s do a quick research on the tongue. Time’s against us!

The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth, strategically placed by the MASTER BUILDER to facilitate eating, digestion, taste, speech, breathing, singing, laughter, and to enjoy life in general. It was made for the good of all.

From our own experience, we know that the tongue enables the verbal expression of our thoughts, feelings, and ideas. This tongue helps us to connect with others, build relationships, and convey messages. The words we speak have the power to influence others, shape their opinions, and impact their lives. In the process, we may inspire, motivate, encourage, hurt or discourage those nearby.

Our research is showing that the tongue has the power to create and shape our reality. The words we speak can bring life, hope, and positivity into our lives, or they can bring darkness, negativity, and destruction. Many times the tongue is used to bring healing and comfort to others. Words of encouragement, affirmation, and kindness can soothe emotional wounds, calm fears, and bring peace.

The tongue is at its best when being used to perform the task for which it was truly designed: to praise and worship God! As we express our gratitude, declare His goodness, edify others, speak words of encouragement, promote unity and harmony, the tongue is playing the dual role of influencing others to do likewise!

Of the tongue, the Bible says: the tongue has the power of life and death … . You can use your tongue to start the process moving from a valley of little to a mountain of plenty, or from sickness to health. Speak positively (nothing negative) about your circumstances to yourself and watch things move in the right direction. God’s listening ...

Remember, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

To repeat, “The tongue is a powerful instrument that has the ability to create, influence, and shape our reality. Its purpose is to praise and worship God, build up and edify others, teach and share knowledge, and bring joy and laughter into our lives. By using our tongue wisely and responsibly, we can bring life, hope, and positivity into our lives and the lives of those around us.”

Remember, hold your tongue when tempted to misuse it … you could just lose it!

HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH AN ITEM FROM BELOW

Stove, refrigerator, bed, food, medication, financial assistance to start a little business.

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636 or 876 884-3866 Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.