Taming the Text

Before Andrea had so much as given the introduction of the lesson in class on Sunday, I knew I was in for more “ouch” than “amen”.  You see, she was talking about the power of the tongue and I just happen to have a chronic case of MMD (Motor-mouth Disorder).  I have seen time and again the healing and the destruction that can be produced by the things we say. 

But what about the things that we communicate without saying a word?  What about the words that we type?  While the words we say with our mouths are incredible powerful, the words we form in other media can be equally impactful for good or bad.  So much of modern communication is through text and email.  Even though we may be using our thumbs, all the same issues of the tongue still apply, or to put it another way…

Out of the overflow of the heart, the thumbs type.

Most of us can text about as fast as we can type on a keyboard or even talk, for that matter.  And we have these handy little devices that allow us to instantly speak our mind to anyone and everyone, no matter what mood we are in, with absolutely no cooling off period.  The results of this hastiness, however, can last long after we press “Send”.

For instance, just this week a text I sent to a coworker could have been a case-study in hasty, argumentative, know-it-all communication.  And now because I had to prove I was right to the other know-it-all, the relationship is now strained.  Someone whom I have been praying for opportunities to share Christ with has now seen the icky overflow of my know-it-all, insecure heart instead of seeing Jesus in me.

Social media-our text message to the world.

If you think that the words you say with your mouth and can only be perceived by those within hearing distance is powerful, think of the impact of your social media accounts.  What among our daily stream-of-consciousness babble is building others up, tearing others down, or causing someone to stumble?

The tongue can’t be tamed, our words in whatever form can’t be tamed, so what are we supposed to do?  Just as Andrea spoke about in the lesson, no amount of self-help techniques will give you power over your tongue.  This can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit, who is freely given to all those who believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Please be praying with me this week…

Lord, please tame our tongues and our texts.  Please let the words that flow from us be kind, true, and necessary.  Let anything we say or communicate glorify You and make your name revered among those who interact us.  We pray that your Spirit would flow through us and speak life into those around us.  It is only by the power of the blood of Christ that we are even able to come to you at all.  We love You, Lord.  Amen.

-Renee Moreland