This is a chapter from the book The Character of Creatures: What the Animal Kingdom Teaches Us About God and His Word.
The Poisonous Tongue –
Stinging & Biting Animals
Have you ever been stung by a bee, or a wasp, or a scorpion?
What about bitten by a snake?! How can such a small thing hurt so much or be so
dangerous? It is because they have power in their stings and bites! So do you!
The things you say can really hurt people.
These animals have so much power because God wants you to know:
The tongue is a small member, yet it
boasts of great things…No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless
evil, full of deadly poison. ~ James 3:5,8
Discussion:
1.
Have you ever heard, “Sticks and stones may
break my bones, but words can never hurt me?” Is that a true saying? What
about, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can break my heart?”
2.
In the tongue God says we have the power of life
and death (Proverbs 18:21). We can tell people about Jesus’ life, death, and
resurrection and if they repent and believe, they’ll have eternal life forever!
Or we can lie to them and make them believe happy lies and they will die and go
to hell. Are you careful how you use your tongue? Read Matthew 12:36–37.
3.
Has anyone ever said something that hurt you
deeply? Sometimes we use the term, “cut to the heart.” How easy was it to heal
that hurt? Would an apology help? Do they know how much they hurt you?
We're stuck with a poisonous, fiery, restless weapon that wreaks havoc on our lives and the lives of those around us. It risks the welfare of those we love and those we don't even know. ~ John Piper
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