Tongue Lashing Is Not Taken Lightly

Job 5:21
You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,
and need not fear when destruction comes.

Contemporary English Version
You will be sheltered, without fear of hurtful words or any other weapon.

International Standard Version
You’ll be protected from the accusing tongue; you need not fear destruction when it heads your way.

NET Bible
You will be protected from malicious gossip, and will not be afraid of the destruction when it comes.

There is a poem or kids play a song that falsely seems to suggest that words are harmless. Nothing can be further from the truth. Words hurt as much as physical injury.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words shall never hurt me.”

Words hurt. Words may leave fresh wounds for life as opposed to a physical assault which may only leave scars. We should be careful how we use our words.

Colossians 4:6
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

The text from Colossians 4:6 admonishes us to be careful how we speak. Our words must be measured. We must season with salt, or add flavor to what we say. Make what you say sweet to hear. Even in anger make it as palatable as it can be.

There is a promise in Job 5:21, that God will protect us from tongue-lashing. God will protect us from toxic tongues. God will shield us from harmful tongues.

God will protect us because tongue-lashing is against God’s will. Tongue lashing expresses anger but does not restore relationships. Tongue lashing demonstrates anger but does not win over the other person. Tongue lashing makes a bad relationship to be worse than it was. Tongue lashing may create compliance out of fear but deep within is contempt and disrespect.

Tongue lashing is sharp criticism. Tongue lashing is made of words that are designed to hurt another. Tongue lashing can be verbal or written. Tongue lashing can be a comment on social media about you. Tongue lashing can be a result of wrongdoing. Tongue lashing can be a rash action of an over-ambitious boss who doesn’t carefully assess an issue. Tongue lashing can be between spouses. Tongue lashing can wrongly masquerade as parenting. Tongue lashing can be a leader’s remarks to those he or she is in charge of. Whatever it is, tongue-lashing isn’t a pleasant experience.

God knows that tongue-lashing hurts. God promises to protect us from tongue-lashing. Whatever form tongue lashing takes, God, promises to protect us from it.

God will protect us so that the tongue-lashing that was meant to lower our self-esteem will instead raise our self-esteem. God will protect us so that tongue lashing that instills fear in us will instead trigger courage and boldness. God will protect us so that the tongue-lashing meant to discourage us will be a huge encouragement. God will protect us so that the tongue-lashing targeted at us will boomerang.

May our gracious God protect us from tongue-lashing and its harmful consequences. May God convert us, so that we do not use tongue-lashing on others, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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