The Good tongue

Article for September 2010

We have often heard about how bad the tongue can be, that it tells lies, that it uses bad language, it spreads gossip, it can say hurtful things, but seldom do we hear about the GOOD that it can do!
Yes, the tongue can be used for bad things, but just as easily it can be used for the good. This is choice each one of us must make, every hour of the day, 365 days of the year.
What are some of the good things we can do?
One of the best things we can do with our tongue is to teach others, to instruct, to discuss things together. This is how we can improve others lives, improve their knowledge, improve their self image, improve their style of life.
Another thing we can do is to correct people when they are doing something wrong, now to be on the receiving end may feel like this is a ‘bad’ thing rather than a good thing, but in the long run it will be a good thing. It will have to be done in a good way though, in a positive way not in a negative and demeaning way. This goes hand in glove with encouraging others, we can help others in an enormous way, by being encouraging. All of us need to have positive affirmation from time to time, this is something all of us can do.
The last point is that with the tongue we can express ourselves. Now at first glance this may seem minor, but try going for a day without voicing your opinion, without telling others how you feel, without telling people what is happening in your life. At best, it will be frustrating, but it probably will be depressing, depleting and make you feel ‘invisible’. All of us like to be noticed and one of the ways we do that is to express yourself.

Once again, we do not intend to ‘run’ your life for you. The choices are yours to make, but you need to know all of the facts to make a good decision. Do not just accept what has been written, read the scriptures for yourselves and see what God has said.