The tongue can bring death or life.

We have been talking about gossip. Sometimes, people will say, “But what I said is true,” like that makes it OK. The truth is you rarely know what’s true in the life of someone else. And even if it is true, some things just don’t need to be shared.

Remember, whenever we are talking about a situation with somebody who is neither part of the problem nor part of the solution, that is probably gossip, whether it is true or not.

The Golden Rule invites us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Would you want other people to share personal, embarrassing or humiliating stories about you or one of your good friends?

The Proverb writer reminds us “The tongue can bring death or life.” (Proverbs 18:21a)

Our words have incredible power. And a powerful principle for us to remember is that everything that is said must be true, but not everything that is true must be said.

The Apostle James spoke to this idea. He said, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)

James compared our tongue to the rudder of a ship. The rudder is really very small in comparison to the size of a boat.

In very simple terms, if a captain wants to turn the boat, he turns a wheel that triggers a lever to move the rudder, which then turns the boat. The captain might make a slight adjustment to the rudder that could completely change the direction of a massive ship.

Since our tongue is like the rudder of a massive ship, we need to be willing to admit we’re the captain, and it is up to us to choose the direction of the ship.

Just like the rudder steers a ship in the direction the captain wants it to go, our tongue, our words will steer our lives in a specific direction, as well.

Have you ever thought about your tongue like the rudder of a ship? It has the power to direct your spiritual life off course, which is another way of saying away from God.

If God has spoken to you about your mouth, confess your sin (call it what it is) to God. Admit it to some trusted friends. Then ask them and ask the holy spirit to point it out if they see your rudder is causing you to head off in the wrong direction.

Steve Greene is the lead pastor of The Point in Seymour. Read his blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or email him at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].