Ships are Sinking
There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks
without thinking.
Proverbs 29:20 (CEV)
SHIPS ARE SINKING
I’m sure you’ve been there: you’re uttering words, and while they are escaping from your lips, you realize it’s too late – you can’t un-say them.
Sometimes, this can just be a simple slip of the tongue – a goof. Everyone makes mistakes, after all. Other times, it can be a tad more painful – both for you and the recipient. In fact, I vividly recall a time in my more ignorant days in my early 30’s. I was at church and was greeting at a door outside the main building. I noticed a woman walking towards me, and made eye contact with her. I said hello, then uttered the dumbest, most dangerous question a man could ever ask a woman: “Are you expecting?” (I know, I know – I can’t believe it either).
And, then, nearly the worst reply fathomable followed: “No. I had a baby a few weeks ago.”
So, there WAS a baby…but that was little solace to my crushed psyche.
I don’t believe the kind woman held it against me, but it’s something I’ve never forgotten – and I was able to learn a powerful lesson that day: don’t ever ask women questions! Or perhaps a greater lesson: Just smile and keep your mouth closed!
There’s a famous saying: Loose Lips Sink Ships. And, if this was literal, ships would be sinking all around us.
About 2000 years ago, James (Jesus’ step-brother) stated it plainly:
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 (NLT)
No one can tame the tongue. No one!
As a youth baseball umpire, I can attest to this. I spend much of my week hearing coaches, parents, and players saying some of the most spiteful, senseless, inconsiderate words you can imagine. And, only part of the time those are directed at me!
So, if this is a universal struggle, what’s the antidote? In short, we have to get our hearts right.
Read what the Apostle Luke had to say on the subject:
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 (NLT)
If you’re heart is set on the things of this world, you’re likely to talk like the world. Like they say, “Trash in, trash out.”
But, if you set your heart on Jesus, it will be far more difficult to follow the pattern set by society. When you follow his lead, you’ll look AND sound different.
And, that will be a breath of fresh air for anyone near you. People are desperate for love and encouragement. Let’s choose our words wisely. And, if all else fails, choose silence and a smile.
C.A. Phillips has served on staff at NorthStar Church since 2004, and has more than 35 years of baseball experience as a player, coach, and umpire. He and his wife, Amy, have two adult sons and live in Kennesaw with their German Shepherd, Abby.
