Good morning son,
I want to give an introduction but
today, I am just too tired. My head is hurting, my eyes are burning
and I am attempting to type with my eyes closed. But I am determined
to get this out this morning versus latter today.
Recently I went to meet with an
individual for an interview. When I got there, where he was supposed
to be, I called him and we spoke on the phone. He then informed me
that he could not see me and if I could wait till 7 or 7:30 and
possibly see him then. Since it was only 2 hours more, and I had
traveled a long way to see him, I decided to wait. Several calls
later, and a text – result – we did not meet. Will meet soon? I
do not know. I do know that I had some choice words I wished to say
to him.
Proverbs 21:23 “He who guards his
mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
“guards” An interesting choice of
words. Why not “control”? Why not “pay attention to”? Why
not “carefully attend to”? No, the writer chooses to use words
translated into the active verb of “guard.”
When I was in the Army I oftentimes had
to serve as a night guard. We would be given our assigned area to
keep watch over. Nobody could go out or come in that did not have
the pass code. We were told how to sound the alarm. We were given
weapons to defend or secure the post. We were given instructions on
how to address any issue that may come up, small ones and large.
Often times one of the things I like to
do with a passage is plug in words or phrases which describe or
translate the meaning of a key word. So applying this tool for
understanding to the passage, utilizing my army experience I get:
“He who keeps watch over, who does
not allow any word out that should not be said of his mouth and his
tongue keeps himself from calamity.” “He who sounds an alarm to
warn where impending danger of dangerous release or attack from his
mouth or tongue keeps himself from calamity.” He who utilizes his
weapons of warfare (“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the
flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds – 2 Corinthians
10:4 – okay, I know I normally would say look it up but, I'm tired
and figured you might be too) to defend or secure the mouth and
tongue, keeps himself from calamity.” See how it works?
By doing this little technique the word
often comes alive. By trying to think of a situation which
illustrates the passage you also may reach an understanding which may
not appear on the face of the passage. For example, here there is
something that is critical in the application of this passage that is
nowhere written in it.
Remember my discussion of my experience
as a guard in the Army? In describing what my job as a guard was, of
how I guarded from my post, I failed to mention a critical component
of my job – I had to stay alert. If I did not stay alert all could
be lost.
The word alert is nowhere in the
passage. However, to guard ones mouth and tongue one must remain
alert.. It is often in our weakest point, when we would wish to lie
down on the job that the attack is the strongest and we have the
biggest chance of loosing the battle. I must guard my mouth and
tongue when I feel under attack; when I feel under appreciated; when
I would want to mislead or lie to make things temporarily more easy
for me (note the use of the word “temporarily”). I must stay on
extreme alert in every instance that I know in the past I have lost
the battle, being constantly aware of the triggers, but also knowing
that I can win this battle. I must stay alert.
There is another word which calls for
my attention in this passage - “calamity.”
Calamity captures for me more than a
ruin or destruction, but the character of the disaster which is to
occur – sudden and complete. When I hear “it was a calamity”
I think of the tsunami which hit Japan. I think of the earthquakes
in Haiti. I thing of sudden unexpected complete disasters. Nothing
that could be planned for, or avoided – disasters outside of ones
control. And here there is no difference. The psalmist wants to
communicate to us that not to guard our mouth and our tongue we will
experience a disaster of epidemic proportions suddenly and
without recourse.
So we guard our tongue, from what?
I have been asked whether cursing and
cussing were against God's word. I have been told that it is only my
opinion that it is wrong. Really? Let's look at the word.
Ephesians 4:29. To get a better understanding lets look at several
translations.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk
come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who
listen.” New International Version
“Don't use foul or abusive
language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that
your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” New
Living Translation
“Let no filthy talk be heard
from your mouths, but only what is good for building up people and
meeting the need of the moment. This way you will administer grace to
those who hear you.” International Standard Version
I would say that those passages are
pretty clear. They also give us insight as to what we are to guard
our mouths and tongues from saying. It is interesting that such
cursing and cussing language is universal in being understood as
filthy talk around the world, in every language and tongue. So to
say, it is just your opinion Rev. . . well you would be just wrong.
Well, believe it or not, I do not have
more to say this morning. Working with our mouth and tongue is hard
enough of a charge for each of us.
As you go about today consider
carefully what you are saying, what is coming out of your mouth and
the use of your tongue. Guard it, and save yourself from sure
calamity, while also transforming the community in which you live
(note what our speech is supposed to be like from the Ephesians
passage and what its effect is on the persons we are around – ok, I
know I said that I didn't have anything else to say, but couldn't
pass on this observation – forgive me. LOL).
Got it?
Got Word?
Love yah,
dad
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