An Exhortation - Pastor Kaurala
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:24
Years ago when I was in school, it was not uncommon to hear "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" shouted by some unfortunate child who was being taunted by classmates on the school playground. The kids doing the taunting shouted unkind words in return, the one being taunted yelling back, and the bell rang. all trooped back inside; and that was the end of the confrontation.
Or, was it? The American poet Emily Dickinson once wrote "A word is dead when it is said, some say; I say it just begins to live that day." Unkind remarks and malicious conversation do hurt; and they hurt more than sticks and stones in the long term for they affect something deep inside the human heart. Those heart-wounds are difficult to heal, as the effects can linger on for years. This is true for both the target of gossip and negative remarks and the one who is doing the "talking."
James writes "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" (James 3:5,6). Woah! Let's read that again. Those are tough words, words that have the power to shock us into examining our own verbal conduct. For example, a word said in jest can very easily be hurtful to the other fellow who is not amused by the remark! And so on...
We have all experienced verbal barbs, but I don't think that any of us is innocent of ever having made an unkind comment, of gossiping, of making unjust speculations, or of saying something in a humorous way but really intending to hurt. Because we have not kept control over our mouths and tongues our souls become troubled, as noted in Proverbs 21:24. Not only have we hurt another but we have caused hurt to ourselves.
It goes without saying that we need to ask forgiveness from those whom we have hurt. This also means that we need to look deep within our own hearts. Jesus said, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man" (Matthhew 15:18). James indicates that it is impossible to tame the tongue; and it is true that our flesh is naturally unruly. However, Paul exhorts the Christian to put to death the parts of the body that are prone to sin (Colossians 3:5). As the children of gracious heavenly father, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit which reminds us that we can do anything through Jesus Christ, who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
If I have wounded any soul today; If I have caused one foot to go astray;
If I have walked in my own willful way, Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have uttered idle words or vain, If I have turned aside from want or pain;
Lest I myself shall suffer thro' the strain, Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have been perverse or hard or cold; If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold;
When Thou hast given me some fort to hold, Dear Lord, forgiven
Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee; Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me, and keeper be, Dear Lord, Amen.
Contact us at:
Chairman: Pastor Ernest (Chuck) Bylkas
Phone: (906)482-8327
email: cbylkas@pasty.com
Secretary: Al Jarvi
Phone: (906)482-6157
Email: adjarvi@charter.net
Treasurer: Pastor Jesse Aho
Phone: (906)370-4564
Email: jka068@up.net