Hush My Mouth

I was reading James 4: 11-12 in The Message paraphrase of the Bible this morning. Eugene Peterson sees James as connecting how we speak of others with their destiny. Somehow, our 'bad mouthing each other' affects our future, where we're headed, what we're able to become: our destiny, as I said.

All the little comments we make about co-workers, friends, enemies, whomever, affect their destiny? Destiny is God's job, James believes. Who are we to mess with it by our mean words?

For me, this puts all kinds of things in a new light, from 'closing the door and hocking up a hairball,' what my co-worker calls venting, to the snide comments we make about the way someone else is living their lives. When I complain about someone, or criticize them to another, somehow that shapes who they become. It's as if, even for a few minutes, their path is blurred, or they are truly hurt, even if they don't know it's happening.

One of my co-workers, Kristen, proposed that everything we say should meet three criteria. It should be true. It should also be kind. Finally, it should be necessary. We'd certainly talk a lot less, and do a lot less harm, if we followed that advice.

No wonder James says the tongue is the most powerful thing! Now, dear God, today hush my mouth, until I can process what I say through your ears and heart. You are in charge of others, be in charge of me.