Hypocrisy and Gossip

I woke up this morning with several things bothering me.  Most of those thoughts pertained to that muscle in our mouths: the tongue.

This one little muscle can: 
      Flatter (Psalm 5:9)
      Be boastful and prideful (Psalm 12:3; 73:9) 
      Speak lies (Psalm 109:2; Prov. 6:17) 
      Be deceitful (Psalm 120:2) 
      Be perverted (Prov. 10:31; 17:20) 
      Sooth (Prov. 15:4) 
      Bring healing (Prov. 12:18) 
      Be destructive (Prov. 17:4) 
      Spew mischievousness and wickedness (Psalm 10:7) 
      Be soft (Prov. 25:15) 
      Backbiting and backstabbing  (Prov. 25:23)

In James 3:2-10, we are reminded that the tongue is loaded with poison and is untameable and completely restless.  We bless and curse both God and man with it.  It is a ceaseless fire - and only those who can control it, and not stumble over their own tongue, are perfect.

But, in those thoughts this morning, I wondered how many of us truly realize the impact that our clucking tongues have on those around us? 

The consequences that whispered rumors (or out and out gossip) to a close friend, or the snide remarks about someone standing in line or on the road, and even the judgemental accusations made about anothers clothes, hair, nail color, mate or even a facial expression, might have on a person's entire life.

I've seen both the affects and the consequences of other's loose muscles.  I have lived with the consequences of lies and rumors - touted as truth, in my own life.  My children have been hurt by those who claim to love them, with deception so vile, viciousness so deep, that the emotional pain has had devasting effects on them.

A single rumor may be all it takes to change the course of another's life.

What many clucking tongues fail to realize is that every word that is uttered, both good and bad, will be accounted for.  That the very rationale we use to justify, or judge others, will be the exact same rationale that will be used to judge US. 

I don't know about every person reading this - but I hope that this brings with it a sobering realization: with this tongue comes our own condemnation or redemption.  With our own mouth, we seal our fate.

The next time someone whispers a rumor, starts to gossip, or makes an opinionated judgement, remember that you are not responsible for their words and actions - but you WILL be accountable for how you respond in return.

Matthew 7:1-5 states our accountability clearly:

"Judge not, lest YOU be judged.  For with the exact same judgement and condemnation you give to another, that same judgement and condemnation shall be given to you."

Maybe meditating on that will give us enough time to stop and think twice before we utter a single syllable.  It might also give time to reflect on how you would feel if what you were about to say would be said about you.

It's easy to forget that Jesus hung with the poor, the theives, the prositutes, and the "low lifes" - not because He was one - but because He loved them, and knew they were lost.  He set the example of how to live.  His pure life reflected to them what was missing in theirs - and he didn't condemn or judge them - and He was (and is) the only One justified to do so.