Few people realize the importance of the words they speak. There is almost no way to overemphasize the importance of what we say yet most people give it almost no thought, usually speaking without thinking.

The inspirational and classical author, Og Mandino, once asked himself, «Why is it then that so many of us go out of our own way to offend others with criticism and offensive judgments that so often come back to haunt us?

Why do we allow our big mouths to dig ruts in our path so deep that our forward progress is finally nil? Is this more of that "will to fail that has already been covered?”

He continued and commented, "If your tongue has been busy accumulating enemies for you, enemies you do not need who can harm you, now is as good a time as any to cease and desist. How sad it would be for such a petty habit to destroy your great potential.”

Another very well known inspirational and classical author described the worst effects of criticism to the receivers. Dale Carnegie, in his book entitled "How to Win Friends and Influence People” declares that, "Criticism is futile because it puts a man on the defensive, and usually makes him strive to justify himself.

Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a man’s precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses his resentment.”

Dale Carnegie reminds us, "When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.”

He warns that "criticism is a dangerous spark - a spark that is liable to cause an explosion in the powder magazine of pride - an explosion that sometimes hastens death.”

I remember the Greek Philosopher, Pythagoras once said, "A wound from a tongue is worse than a wound from a sword for the latter affects only the body, the former affects the spirit.”
In the Bible, James the disciple of Jesus Christ gave a warning of the evil poison of the tongue.

He described some who try to use their tongue as praise and blessing to God, then turn around to use their tongue to speak evil of one another.

"With it we bless our God and Father, and with it rue curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10).

We cannot use our tongue to curse and bad-mouth our brethren, then continue "business as usual” with our relationship with God.

The Bible clearly says that such tongue behavior is characteristic of hypocrites. "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor... "(Prov. 11:9).

The great teacher of all times, The Lord Jesus Christ revealed to us that our words are important. In the book of Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus exclaimed, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned” (NIV).

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21 NIV) and James, the disciple of Jesus Christ, adds, "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

Consider that a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a word of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell” (NIV). Watch your words.

People, remember no one knows when life is over. Our life is like a vapor that appears for a moment and then disappears! So I encourage you, don’t let your life die like an insect’s without doing something good for yourself and for your fellowmen.

The author is a S.6 student at Lycee De Kigali
jamiefrings@yahoo.com