Careless
Words
Brothers
and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or
sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the
law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. – James 4:11
It was a casual comment. One of those meant –
supposedly – to offer a suggestion. Hurt feelings. Allegedly. Some unnamed
person or committee “should” have done things differently. Words said in a
group of people who aren’t involved and have no knowledge of actual events.
Was it about gossip? Was it about concern? Only God
truly knows. But one thing is certain: the words shouldn’t have been said.
The subject was immediately changed but the seeds of
division were planted. This is how rumors and gossip get started. We offer
public opinions on what might or might not be true. We judge situations that
don’t involve us. We speak words when we should have remained silent.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we have a responsibility
to guard our tongues and our attitudes. We should use our words to build others
up. Why do we find it so difficult to stay in our lane and out of discussions
that have nothing to do with us. Why do we insist on trying to destroy
ourselves from within by spreading slander?
Careless words can cause harm far beyond what we could
ever imagine. Choose your words carefully and, when in doubt, remain silent.
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