Here’s an old Jewish story: “In a small community, one fellow is known as the town gossiper. He has thoughtlessly told and retold some stories that have caused others to feel pain and shame. When his rabbi confronts him about the damage he has done, the man is shocked and sorry for being hurtful. He asks what he can do to make amends.
"The rabbi tells him to take some pillows out into a field, to cut them open, and to shake all the feathers out into the field. The man thanks the rabbi and runs off to do what he said. Later he returns and reports that the wind has taken the feathers to all parts of the field. The rabbi tells him this is good and now he must go back to the field and collect all the feathers. The gossiper knows that is an impossible task.”
What is the moral lesson of the story? The Spirituality.org declares, "Hurtful words once spoken cannot be retrieved. It’s better to take custody of your tongue in the first place.”
A daughter confided that she almost committed suicide when her mother scolded her without pity just because she tore one of the pages of desk calendar. No matter how she reasoned out, her mom kept on lashing her with her tongue. When her mother turned her back, she decided to end her life with the use of a knife. It was a good thing that a close friend dropped by to invite her out for dinner.
Lina Abujamra of Christian Living commented, “It’s wise to hold your tongue." It is in this message that she cites the following situations wherein it’s better to refrain from talking.
When you have no idea what to say. Proverb 17:28, "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
When you’re wrongly accused. Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.”
When you’re mad. Proverbs 25:28, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
When you wouldn’t want someone else to find out you said it. Luke 12:3, “Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”
When you don’t really mean it. Proverbs 3:28, "Do not say to your neighbor ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it, when you have it with you.”
When you have a lot to do and you don’t like it. Philippians 2:14, "Do all things without grumbling or complaining.”
When the timing is wrong. Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in setting of silver.”
When you don’t have anything to say that gives grace. Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear it.”
As Proverbs 21:23 declares, "Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.” kathy_oyson@yahoo.com.