Harmful Spills!

It has always amazed me how a little liquid can go a long way. An overturned glass of milk seems to cover more area to be cleaned, making more of a mess than what seems to have been the original contents of the glass. An overturned bucket can seem to cover an entire room or run down the full length of a long hallway. Once the spill occurs, the damage is done.

Someone has said, "There are no idle rumors. RUMORS are always busy." Once a story has been told, it just seems to continue spreading. That seems especially true with the internet today. Once something is put out there -- whether true or not -- it continues to circulate. In fact, I have received the same untrue e-mail stories over a several year period. There always seems to be someone who picks one up and re-circulates it, apparently thinking it to be true.

We also must be mindful of WHAT WE SPEAK, because once the words have spilled from our lips, they cannot be brought back in. Even before we have a chance to apologize, explain or offer some other form of damage control, reactions have happened, fights start, reputations are killed, etc.

Solomon warned. . .
"The beginning of strife is LIKE LETTING OUT WATER, so quit before the quarrel breaks out." ( Proverbs 17:14 ESV)

The New Living Translation reads, "Beginning a quarrel is LIKE OPENING A FLOODGATE, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." [© 1997, Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House]

Solomon's picture is easy to see. Once water is let loose from a dam its flow cannot be stopped. The waters continue their rushing and erosion takes place. How awful that is when it is words eroding lives rather than refreshing them. Since the tongue is in a slippery place, let us be diligent about guarding it so that spills do not occur. Once it is out, it is out and the mess may never be able to be completely cleaned up.

May we keep in mind the urging of James where he exhorted. . .
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person BE QUICK TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, slow to anger;" ( James 1:19 ESV)

Have a great day GIVING CAREFUL THOUGHT TO WHAT WE SPEAK!
Carl

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