Controlling the tongue

Hi folks

For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 

If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 

With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. (James 3: 2-12)

 

All of us make mistakes - from the poorest to the richest, from the least to the greatest!  It's commonly said that we can learn from our mistakes - well, if so, I should be well on my way to becoming a genius by now!

Like most people, I watched "the interview" on Monday evening.  I'm sure you know I'm talking about the Oprah Winfrey interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.  I listened to two young people talk about the pressures of lives lived in public view, and the struggles they felt that they had to escape.   I felt their hurt and pain as they described being cut off from their family, and I shared their joy as they spoke so happily about expecting a daughter "in the summer".

I then listened to the media respond to their claims and accusations of racism and distrust - and very few covered themselves with glory as they did so.  I read with interest the quiet and dignified Palace response, which may have fallen short of conciliatory, but at least it stopped short of condemnation.

Many of the remarks from both sides could be taken as almost incendiary - which was how James described the tongue so many years ago.  Words can hurt much more than sticks ever could, and leave a much deeper scar too.  We need to be careful in what we say, and in how we say it!

Personally, I feel the pain and hurt shared on both sides of the story - and whether you choose to support Meghan and Harry or the "Firm" (and I don't care which you support) you should not condemn the feelings of the other as irrelevant!  Mistakes have obviously been made on both sides, whether things done, or left undone - as our general confession says - and amends need to be at the top of each side's agenda.  As Christians, I urge you not to get embroiled in the politics of the situation, but to pray for each.

Whether we feel strongly one way or the other - this is a family in pain at the moment, and need our prayers.  This is a family that has pains that money cannot heal, and that need to be given the chance to make the necessary moves and apologies as required, without the public looking over their shoulders.

Blessings

Johnny