Untamed Tongue

Bible Reading: James 3:3-10

Why didn’t you invite Jase to come camping with us?” Dad asked as he and Thatcher sat beside their campfire.

Thatcher looked at his dad. “His mother’s in a mental hospital!”

“Yes,” Dad said. “She’s getting the help she needs for her mental health.”

“I knew she was in a hospital, but I didn’t know it was that kind of hospital until a guy at school told me,” Thatcher said. “The kids at school say Jase must be nuts too, and…well, don’t you think he’s a little weird sometimes?”

“No weirder than anyone else,” Dad replied. “Don’t judge everything Jase does by the fact that his mother is ill—and remember, she’s ill, not ‘nuts,’ as you called it.” Thatcher didn’t say anything, but he wasn’t convinced.

As Thatcher dried off after a swim in the river the next day, he let out a yell. “Dad! There’s a yucky worm on my leg! I can’t pull it off!”

Dad hurried over to take a look. “That’s a leech, Thatcher. They live in the water and sometimes stick to swimmers. Hold still, and I’ll try to get it off.” Dad succeeded in removing the leech, but Thatcher’s leg kept on bleeding. “Leeches give off a substance that keeps blood from clotting,” Dad explained, “but we’ll wash and bandage your leg, and I’m sure it will be fine.”

Soon Dad had Thatcher all bandaged up. “You know, Thatcher, leeches remind me of gossip. Gossip also sticks tight. Even after people quit talking, those they’ve gossiped about continue to hurt. I’m sure the things kids say about Jase hurt him. All that gossip may be sucking the joy of life right out of him.”

“I…I didn’t mean to hurt Jase,” Thatcher replied.

“No, but people get hurt by gossip, and it’s a sin. It draws attention to other people’s problems and shortcomings—which may not even be true—and away from our own. We need to remember we’re just as flawed as everyone else and that Jesus died to save all of us. We’re not showing others His love when we gossip—either the people listening or the person we’re talking about.”

“I’m sorry, Dad” Thatcher said. “I’ll text Jase and see if he wants to come out here. Then I can tell him I’m sorry too.” – Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?

Are you guilty of hurting someone by spreading gossip? Don’t sin by hurting others this way. Even if you believe an unkind thing you hear is true, think about how you’d feel if someone said a similar thing about you and keep it to yourself. Instead, show Jesus’ love by speaking words that help encourage others instead of hurt them.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 39:1 I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin.