I, Terry Lynn Hathaway, have accomplished what others have not been able to do! I know, you’re all impressed! I have located THE Weapon of Mass Destruction! And you’ll all be shocked to know that we each have one of these weapons. Brace yourself…the Weapon of Mass Destruction is…The Tongue!! Yes, you’ve read that right. The tongue is a weapon capable of causing massive pain and destruction.

Recently I’ve witnessed how this weapon was used. Talk about “Shock and Awe”! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Days later, I was still amazed at the pain this weapon had caused. Why is it that some people can say hurtful things and then just move on as if nothing was wrong. I’m the type of person, I guess, that tends to dwell on things.

As I considered this weapon, I was reminded of the times that our family had been injured by this weapon of mass destruction! Our family has been on the casualty list of this weapon; we have been the victims of people’s gossip and hateful words. I don’t think people realize that gossip is like a murder. The person being gossiped about is having their reputation murdered.

And then the Holy Spirit taps me on the shoulder and asks me “When was the last time you used your “WMD?” Ooops!!  Ummm, well, ummm, lets talk about how others use this weapon.  This is getting a little uncomfortable!  :-/   I started to take a little inventory of the times I spoke about someone in an unflattering way.  Oh, and being a Christian doesn’t automatically change gossip into prayer requests!  🙂

I quickly realized how guilty I am of hurting people’s reputations by saying things that weren’t part of the problem or the solution.  How many times have I spoken about things that are of no concern to me?  How many times have I spoken out of anger or frustration?  Maybe my weapon needs to be de-fused!  :-/

I Peter 3:10 says:

“For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”

James 3:3-5 puts it this way:

“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds , they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

Yikes!! Makes me want to keep a closer watch on my tongue!

But, on the flip side and because I like to end my posts on a positive note, the tongue can also bring healing and a balm to a hurting soul!  🙂  Is there any sweeter sound than someone calling you “Mom” or “Dear” or “Friend”?  Since my sister’s passing, I don’t think my sister-in-law, Julie and I part ways without saying “I love you”!  My dear friend Erin also uses her tongue to call me “Sweet Friend”  🙂  And then there are 2 young men that call me “Peemaw”!  Or what about when you are feeling at the end of your rope and someone says “I’m praying for you”?!  And the calls that come just when you need it and you hear “Just calling to check in and see how you’re doing.”  My niece calling me to tell me about something funny that’s happened and I hear “Aunt Terry…we have a situation up here!”  Ahhhh sweet sounds from a very powerful muscle!  🙂

Good night, sweet friends!  Oh…and “I love you!”