Since the day of 9/11, we have become very familiar with the term "weapons of mass destruction". We heard over and over again the threat of harm to America and to mankind. This so-called threat led us into war and our present situation.

Day after day, I become more aware of the weapon of mass destruction each one of us carries about and uses daily: our tongues.

James 3:6,8 – The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (NIV)

Nothing can do harm faster than an ill-spoken word. We can damage our relationships with our families, friends, neighbours, or fellow workers with a thoughtless or reckless spoken comment. All our good deeds can be overturned in a matter of a few seconds. Lies and gossip delivered by our tongues act like poison to demean and hurt others.

Psalm 140:3 – They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. (NIV)

Christ is hurt every time we hurt our fellow man.

Prayer: Loving Father, giver of all our blessings, be near us each day. Guide us to think before speaking. Help our tongues to utter only helpful and loving things to others, and stop us when we are about to cut down our friends. This we ask in Your Son's name. Amen.

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