 For there is not a just man on earth
who does good and does not sin.
Also do not take to heart
everything people say,
Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
For many times, also,
your own heart has known
that even you have cursed others.
(Ecclesiastes 7:20-22)
People often say dumb things!
I have found myself pondering the situation in our world right now, with General McChrystal and his comments that have become big news. I am not here to make a commentary on that situation. I understand that General McChrystal has tendered his resignation and perhaps it is right that he do so, given his position. Yet, in this situation I find myself thinking of the danger and damage that often comes from reckless words that we or others speak. James puts it this way:
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body…See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
(James 3:2–8)
From this verse in James and the one in Ecclesiastes, I want to give you three quick thoughts to consider for your life.
One – Expect imperfection. That might sound pessimistic, but in reality it is simply realistic. Consider again the words of the verses today:
For there is not a just man on earth
who does good and does not sin.
For we all stumble in many things…
no man can tame the tongue.
Nobody’s perfect, everyone says things they should not at times. Don’t let it surprise or shock you when a friend, relative, coworker or fellow Christian says something they should not, even about you. This is not meant to be an excuse for sin, yet a simply reality that we should expect and not be moved over.
Two – Allow for mistakes. Our passages call it a sin, a stumbling. The idea in these words is a slip or a mistake that was not what was intended or normal. The word for sin literally means to miss the mark. It has the idea of an archer firing an arrow from his bow, aiming for the bulls eye, but it falls short and misses. The simple point is this: in our folly sometimes we say things that honestly we don’t really mean or feel. Caught in the moment, in frustration or some other folly, we think and say something that in truth we don’t believe. Thus the advice:
Also do not take to heart
everything people say,
The sad reality is that many a relationship has been shattered because one party would not forgive and leave room for a slip of the tongue. Can I encourage you – don’t take to heart, don’t hold on to what others have said in a stumble of their tongue. Be a person that allows for mistakes and provides a real forgiveness for slips of the tongue.
Third – Be encouraged – you are not alone. The reality is that this kind of stumbling with our tongue is something we all have done.
For many times, also,
your own heart has known
that even you have cursed others.
Sometimes it is simply a good thing to remember our own weakness and folly. When we find ourselves facing a comment that someone else has made foolishly…to realize that we have done the same thing…many times. It is a sad truth that I wish was not true, but the reality is that it is true or you and it is true of me. Further, it is even a little encouraging to realize that we are not the only one that struggles with our tongue….we all do. For me, I find that helpful.
May you and I become those who hear with grace!
For there is not a just man on earth
who does good and does not sin.
Also do not take to heart
everything people say,
Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
For many times, also,
your own heart has known
that even you have cursed others.
(Ecclesiastes 7:20-22)
Jim
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