The scissors and needle have different functions. One tries to put together, to unify, while the other divides, splits, and separates. What important lessons can we learn from these two hand tools? Let us first define them.
Scissors are hand-operated shearing tools used for cutting various thin materials into many pieces, such as paper, carboard, metal foil, cloth, rope, and wire. Scissors are mostly used to cut, to split, and not to unify.
A sewing needle is used for hand-sewing. It is a long slender tool with a pointed tip at one end and a hole (or eye) to hold the sewing thread. It is used to repair, to unify.
These two tools are very useful depending on the circumstances. In this article, we will look at these tools and compare them to the tongue. The tongue can be powerful and can be used for sewing, healing, putting together, or the opposite—to destroy.
The power of the tongue
The human tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has tremendous power. The weight of an adult tongue is about 80–100 grams. However, its potential for evil is so great that God saw fit to imprison it behind the teeth and the lips.
“The tongue is a little member, but the words it frames have great power. The Lord declares, ‘The tongue can no man tame.’ It has set nation against nation, and has caused war and bloodshed. Words have kindled fires that have been hard to quench. They have also brought joy and gladness to many hearts.” –Voice in Speech and Song, p. 18
The tongue is a very powerful weapon. It can be used for good, or can be used for evil. God is giving you the ability to choose what you are going to do. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21. Politicians use the tongue to convince people; gospel ministry is done by the tongue.
The tongue is very close to the heart, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. “Matthew 12:34. Jesus continued to say, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:35–37
“Guard well the talent of speech; for it is a mighty power for evil as well as for good. You cannot be too careful of what you say; for the words you utter show what power is controlling the heart.”–Ibid., p. 19
James wrote much about the tongue. (see verses 1:19, 26; 2:12, 14, 16, 18; 4:11, 13, 15–16; 5:12). In the Bible, the tongue is described as wicked, deceitful, perverse, filthy, corrupt, flattering, slanderous, gossiping, blasphemous, foolish, boasting, complaining, cursing, contentious, sensual, and vile. And that list is not exhaustive. The tongue possesses unspeakable power.
Two of the Ten Commandments refer to sins of the tongue. (3rd) “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.” Exodus 20:7; (9th) “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Exodus 20:16
Of the seven things that God hates, three have to do with the tongue. (Proverbs 6:6–19): A lying tongue, a false witness that bears lies, and he who sows discord among brethren.
Words reveal the man. Just an accent (way of pronouncing words) often betrays one’s country of origin. Peter’s Galilean accent gave him away during the trial of Jesus, “and after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.” Matthew 26:73. Just as an accent indicates one’s country of origin, so speech betrays the condition of one’s heart.
It is very difficult for some to learn to control their speech. Words have a way of slipping off the tongue and pass our lips before we even know it. Sometimes negative results follow, either for us, or others, or both. Consider for a moment the wisdom of Solomon:
- “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” Proverbs 16:28
- “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.” Proverbs 18:6
- “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Proverbs 18:7
- “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” Proverbs 19:9
- “The legs of the lame are not equal: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.” Proverbs 26:7
- “A lying tongue hateth those who are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” Proverbs 26:28
David wrote: “I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle.” Psalm 39:1. Only the spiritually mature can control their tongue.
A study made by Steve Stephens about home communications and our words in our marriage wrote: “There is nothing more painful than having unhealthy communication with the one you love. It is through communication that we connect and our spirits touch. If that connection becomes contaminated, it is only a matter of time before the whole relationship is poisoned.”
Here is a terrible warning “A glance, a word, even an intonation of the voice, may be vital with falsehood, sinking like a barbed arrow into some heart, inflicting an incurable wound. Thus a doubt, a reproach, may be cast upon one by whom God would accomplish a good work, and his influence is blighted, his usefulness destroyed. Among some species of animals, if one of their number is wounded and falls, he is at once set upon and torn in pieces by his fellows.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 59. This same cruel spirit is indulged by some men and women who bear the name of Christians.
Words can reveal rebellion. They can ruin a marriage. Words can be full of deadly poison. Ask yourself, “am I like scissors to cut, or a needle to link, sew, unify, put together, and heal?”
The tongue can be compared to a “Thermometer.” Just like the thermometer reveals the temperature level, so one’s conversation reveals the level of his spirituality. Speech exposes the condition of the heart: Swearing indicates a profane heart. Impure stories indicate a filthy heart, and murmuring, a thankless heart; criticism a jealous heart.
Is this power of you tongue like a needle? Or like scissors? The tongue can also be similar to a Thermostat. The thermometer registers temperature, but does not regulate it. The thermostat governs the temperature. The tongue not only measures moral condition, but is also a determining instrument. It has been compared to the bit in a horse’s mouth and the rudder on a ship. A bit determines the course of a horse, making him turn to the left or the right, or allowing him run fast or come to a stop. A rudder guides the ship’s course, turning it in any desired direction. Similarly, proper use of the tongue can guide a person safely through hazardous circumstances.
As a thermostat, the tongue can lower the temperature of: pride, temper, jealousy, spite, etc.
The sins of the tongue
We all stumble in many things. In other words, we all sin many times in many ways. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Sins of the tongue can be numerous.
Swearing
God warned the people of Israel, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7, We are not to blaspheme the name of the LORD.
When someone swears, he lays aside his character, inflicts pain on those close to him, violates the Scriptures, and loses his soul. This is why the Lord said: “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: nor by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.” Matthew 5:34–35
Euphemisms are substitutes people use to avoid directly taking the name of God in vain. However, they are still
sin. Some members of the church may have allowed them to creep into their vocabulary.
Gossiping and Talebearing
The gossiper assassinates someone’s reputation. An old Welsh proverb reads, “Lord, remind us that a gossip’s mouth is the devil’s mailbag.” Socrates wrote how to deal with a gossip: If you are tempted to reveal a tale that someone has told about another, make it pass, before you speak, three gates of gold. Three narrow gates: First, “Is it true?” Then, “Is it needful?” In your mind give a truthful answer. And the next is last and narrowest, “Is it kind?” If it is to reach your lips after passing through these gateways, then you may tell the tale without fear of the result.
Why true? No one has the right to relate any story about another unless he is absolutely certain that it is true. The Lord commanded in Exodus 20:16, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” As Christians, we must always remember the conditions of entering heaven: “LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Psalm 15:1. In the next verse he gives this answer: “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” It is sad that many will pass on a story about another without taking time to verify the accuracy of it. No one should say anything about others that they would be unwilling to write out and sign. Most people have the tendency to add a little to a story before passing it on.
Is it Kind? Everything that is true may not be kind. Then why tell it to others? Is It Needful? One’s remarks about others should serve a purpose. Sometimes, things about others which are true are better left unsaid. The Bible says, “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” Proverbs 11:13. “The spirit of gossip and talebearing is one of Satan’s special agencies to sow discord and strife, to separate friends, and to undermine the faith of many in the truthfulness of our positions.” –The Adventist Home, p. 441
Remember that “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” Proverbs 17:9. I recall Elder Roland de la Paz writing: “If you destroy the reputation of a person and want to be forgiven, it is like taking a pillow, going up to the fourth floor of a building on a busy street, opening the pillow, and shaking all of its contents out the window. Then you go down to pick up all the contents of the pillow until you have put everything back where it was before. Because the building is on a busy road where buses, cars, and trucks pass and the wind may be strong, it will be extremely hard to pick up all the contents. The same is true in destroying the reputation of a person. It is a grievous sin before the Lord, not just before man. It is virtually irreversible even if we repent. It is a curse both to the speaker and the hearer.”
If you wish to keep your tongue from speaking guile, here are five thing to consider; Of whom are you speaking about, to whom are you speaking to, and how, and when, and where.
Gossip destroys. If you have been guilty, as soon as possible let the healing begin by humbling yourself before God and that friend, and ask for forgiveness. Pray now and ask our Lord Jesus Christ for grace and strength to do what you must.
Criticism
Jesus warned, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. “Matthew 7:1. The Lord was not condemning the proper kind of judgment, for He said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24. Jesus was prohibiting faultfinding and criticism where there is no law or basis.
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, you art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” James 4:11–12. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?”
When you are meeting criticism, remember that both his sister Miriam and his brother Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman (Numbers 12:1). It is true that you cannot please everybody. Jesus was perfect in every way. He was without sin, and yet was criticized all of the time, by the Pharisees and religious leaders for eating with sinners, for healing on the Sabbath, and so on. The reality is you will be criticized. “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” –Aristotle. In other words, if you are alive you are going to deal with criticism and especially if you are a follower of Jesus. You then need to learn how to deal with criticism. What do you do when you are criticized? How do you respond?
There is value, though, in constructive criticism. If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself (Proverbs 15:31–32). It is important to have people around you who care enough about you to give you honest, helpful, and constructive feedback. You need that in your life because “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:6
In dealing with criticism, three prayers can help you: “God help me. . . . To know when to respond to criticism.” “God help me to know when to ignore criticism.“ “God help me to overcome my own critical nature.” This is important because there is a time to respond to criticism. The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, wrote these words, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. If you do not know whether you should respond to criticism or ignore it, ask God for wisdom. Also seek for counsel and advice from trusted friends.
Contentious Words
Contention is sometimes unavoidable. It can usually be averted by proper control of the tongue. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. We need to learn the art of remaining calm when a storm of contention is brewing. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:32. Soft words will stop arguments as well as prevent arguments. Would you prefer to win an argument and lose a friend? Win an argument and lose a soul? Win an argument and lose a Saviour?
Lying
Lying ranks high among the vices of human beings. It was the first sin on earth, spoken in Eden. Many feel there is nothing serious about lying . . . unless one gets caught. We read: “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22. God hates “a lying tongue.” Proverbs 6:17. If a person always speaks the truth, he need not worry about remembering what he has said, because the truth will always be the same. On the other hand, those who tell lies need to have exceptionally good memories.
Dear reader, do you understand that one lie leads to another? Always tell the truth, even if it chokes you. Lying, unless repented of and forgiven, will keep a person out of Heaven. The Bible gives us warning. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27
Jesting and Idle Words
Jesus said, “But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36. An idle word is one which is not producing something positive. It is a weed in the garden of speech.
Humor is not necessarily bad, It has its rightful place. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22. However, there are some kinds of jesting that are wrong. For instance: It is sinful to make fun of, or take advantage of, a person’s handicap. The law says in Leviticus 19:14, “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.” It is also wrong to jest at another’s appearance or misfortune. We are warned that, “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.” Proverbs 17:5
We must decide whether our tongue will be a scissor in our hands or a sewing needle. The Bible emphasizes the fact that not all speech is sinful. King Solomon wrote:
- “The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.” Proverbs 10:20
- “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
- “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11
The tongue is also capable of great destruction. “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” James 3:5. A small fire can result in a large fire that quickly rages out of control, destroying life, property, and resources. This is the other way of being like scissors.
Likewise, the tongue, though small, can ignite the dry timber of suspicion and quickly spread flames which:
- Ruin reputations.
- Destroy friendships.
- Break hearts.
“Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin.” Ecclesiastes 5:6
In the day of judgment, we will face the record of our words. Thus, we need to pray: “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Swift to Hear
Although the Lord places a strong emphasis on the sins of speech, He has a lot to say about hearing. The word “hear” is used a total of 550 times in the Bible. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19. Everyone should always think twice before he speaks once. I once read this: “A wise old owl lived in an oak. The more he saw the less he spoke. The less he spoke the more he heard; Why can’t we all be like that bird?” The lesson is that we need to be careful, to taste our words before we let them pass our teeth.
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19. So, be swift to hear. “He that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:28. “A fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.” Ecclesiastes 5:3
Do you know why God gave us two ears but one mouth? “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2. Am I a wise man/woman? Ask yourself, what kind of impact do your words have? How many people killed themselves because of what they heard or read? When has an evil tongue burned you? Or kind words refreshed your soul? “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29. Are my words loving or unwholesome? “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17. Check the motive behind what you want to say.
Is my tongue soothing or sharp? The Bible says, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8. Self-effort cannot tame the tongue. Neither can good intentions. We need the power of God, because what we say can have a profound effect on others.
God made us expressive beings, so we are nearly lost without communication. That is why we have audio recordings and Braille for the blind, sign language for the deaf, and writing for anyone who has something to say. Indeed, speech has enormous implications, especially as a vehicle for sharing the gospel (Romans 10:14). Therefore, we are commanded to control the tongue, to “keep it from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Psalm 34:13. A Christian’s speech should consistently honour the Lord. “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.” James 3:9. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing.
A noble Christian will not destroy someone’s reputation to make himself appear better than his fellow men, and will not dishonour him, for he believes and understands that God is the owner of every person. Character assassination is rampant in the world and may creep into the church. Some professed Christians feast on rumors and gossip. They delight to hear destructive information about the people around them. Let us be like a needle, not scissors using our words to unite people and not destroy. Amen.
Victor Shumbusho
DR Congo