The scripture likens our tongue to a spring of water. Depending on its quality, it can either bring refreshment or harm to the body.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. James 3:10-12
One of the ways, we can pollute each other is by our words. We can begin a great and encouraging conversation with others that could eventually drift into some sort of negativity, criticism, or gossip.
The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. Proverbs 26:22
A lot of times, a conversation that causes pollution in our souls feels like tasty trifles as it goes down. We may feel like we are not alone in feeling the way we are, We may also feel privileged for being privy to the information the person is sharing. The truth is that regardless of how it makes us feel, it is going down to the inmost body and soul, and it is causing harm.
Interestingly the above passage in James likens our words to be like fresh water or salt water. Fresh water is a necessity for the health of the body. We cannot live without it. Similarly, we need the encouraging and life-giving words of those around us as we journey in life. Words can build someone’s faith and encourage them in the ways of God.
On the other hand, salt water is dangerous and harmful to the body. If it wasn’t harmful, we would have been using the vast amount of water available in our oceans and there would not be a drought problem. However, that is not the case. Salt water not only does not quench the thirst, but it also causes more thirst. This means the person drinking it will continue to become more dehydrated over time causing major health issues.
The Bible likening our words to spring with salt water is an alarming picture. The impact we have on others with our impure and polluted words can cause great harm to those around us.
If you were to review the last week, were you a spring of fresh water or salt water? Were you a mixture depending on who you were with!? As we start a new week, let’s be intentional with our words try to provide fresh water rather than salt water to others.