Do we any time realize we have a mighty organ in our body which is a double edged sword. Yes, tongue is that special organ. You can save a person from the brink of utter destruction and doom through your encouraging words. In fact it is the most fantastic Gift God Almighty has given to us.
In history you can find many instances when the whole country has revolted and in other cases even won wars with the might of the tongue, using it as a strong motivating force. Man can speak hundreds of languages and an average person speaks about thousands of words each hour. The words can bring about hope and expectations, rejuvenate others and make life successful. But do we always make good use our tongue for the benefit of our brethren?
Story of an old man |
Once there lived an old man who was very mischievous. He had a filthy hobby. Every morning after a long puff from the hookah he would pipe dream wonderful stories, outwitting even Hemingway in that art. The difference here was that all his stories were meant to defame people with falsehood and utter lies. One morning he chose a young honest boy called Rahim as his victim. He spread stories of many kinds like he robbed people and how active he was in the lonely midnight etc. The stories were very convincing that the villagers really believed that Rahim was a true robber. King’s soldiers at last caught Rahim and produced him before the King and the ministers. In fact there was not an iota of proof against this young man. Realizing that he is innocent he was sent away. But by now the mischievous old man was in trouble. He was arrested and brought before the court. The old man pleaded that what he said was a mere joke and he never intended to hurt. Upon this the King ordered to write down each story he made against Rahim and to throw them away on his way back home. He did that and the moment the paper pieces were thrown they were carried away by the wind to far off places. The next day the old man was summoned to appear in the court again after collecting all the small pieces of paper he blew away the other day. The old man came back with folded hands and tears in his eyes to say he is not in a position to recover even a single piece of paper. The king said this is what is happening to each lies and careless stories you spread about people. Cruel words can push people to desperation, shame and even suicide.
We open mouth every day to speak endless things and never we bother what we say is truth or mere stories to defame. Each careless comment can become the devil’s weapon of destruction. The tongue is a God given blessing and it should be used only to speak truth, good things and to bless people.
Once a man who had broken his vertebra was brought to a famous evangelist. The man was a laborer making tube wells. While one day he was carrying the heavy load of a concrete ring on his shoulders he had fallen on the way and broken his backbone. He became bedridden ever since that. He was unable to support his family. In utter despite he decided to commit suicide. It was a mere coincidence that the holy man was in a nearby town, the man felt a desire to meet him once before dying. He was brought in an auto rickshaw in a lying position. The holy man prayed and kept his hand on the head of the man and said ‘God is great. He will surely cure you’.
After 3 long years when the holy man met the man again he had improved and was at least able to sit up. What more he had shed his thoughts of ending life and started earning a lively hood by making ‘beedies’.
Dr.Gangadharan the famous cancer expert in Kerala has a very outstanding quality. He would endeavor to instill hope in the minds of each patient and that would prompt them to hope and aspire to live and get cured. You know the words of a doctor have a very special magical effect and value among patients and their kin.
Hear scriptures |
‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech” God’s ears are open to only noble words and prayers. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
The miracles created by noble words |
Raju’s grandfather was very ill and he was taken to the ICU. The medicines were not responding and the body condition was deteriorating alarmingly. The doctors expressed their inability to cure. They lost hope and finally said you may take him back home to spend the last days in peace with the family. The helper who was carting his body to the ambulance bends down and speaks something in the ears of Raju’s grandfather. His closed eyes suddenly opened and he smiled a bit. People around were surprised as to what that helper might have spoken.
Raju tells this story how his grandfather slowly showed signs of improvement. He came back to life. He now walks around in the garden and is fully cured. “Be mindful when it comes to your words. A string of some that don’t mean much to you, may stick with someone else for a life time” says Rachel Wolchin.
Everybody was curious as to know what the helper told the grandfather on the way to ambulance. The helper had murmured that soon he would recover by the grace of God.
Energy and Hope |
Your words should be kind and strong so that it would pass on that energy and hope for betterment. A student who is preparing for examination, a sick man like Raju’s grandfather, they all need some encouraging kind words. For that has become very rare in this busy world. Don’t undervalue the miraculous power of words and the great difference it can make in others’ lives. Mother Theresa used to say
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. We should never blemish anyone’s reputation by any means.
Any ways in the incident we read earlier the grandfather recovered apparently as if it was a miracle. May be the kind words of an ordinary helper must have sown seeds of hope in to his worrying mind. “Don’t worry you will be alright” Rajus grant father would often repeat that to himself. See the magic. In a case where even medicine and doctors failed here is what a few words make possible. The words were so invigorating and it must have come from the almighty God and expressed through the lips of that poor helper in the story.
Regarding false hood and loose talk the Holy Bible forbids “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Everything is accounted for. When we open our mouths let it be for speaking noble things that is good in the eyes of God. We should never criticize anyone. Blasphemy and falsehood are the devil’s attributes. Let us not fall into his traps. There are people who tell endless lies just for the fun of it. Remember these lies would lead you to danger one day. Instead you decide to speak only truth, come what it may, whatever be the consequences. Your acceptability in this world will improve significantly. It is good to be known as an honest person.
If you are in the spirit of prayer and goodness the noble spirit in you will always put only kind and soothing words on to your lips. No abusive words, words expressing pride, prejudice, ridicule, dishonor, slander, gossip etc in the evil spirit’s domain should ever come out of your mouth. The tongue which you use for praising and honoring God cannot be used for these unworthy things. Similarly your tongue cannot give a false witness against anyone.
Dumb for 10 years |
Lastly I would like to narrate a story of a boy who never could utter a word even until the age of 10. The parents were poor but God fearing. They took loans and donations from good people and took this boy to almost all hospitals around. Nothing came by way of cure. Finally a doctor talks about an expensive operation in a far off city. They almost lost hope that the boy would ever talk. His mother was a very devoted lady she would every day kneel before God and pray relentlessly. “God Help us, God Help us” these words were resonating everywhere and at last on the 10th year he one day spoke out the word ‘God’-that was the first ever word he uttered. Today he is a great motivating speaker. When we listen to the torrential flow of thoughts from his mouth you cannot imagine he was dumb until 10 years of age. There is a similar story in History. St. Simon Rojas could not speak a word till late childhood. And when he spoke he was transformed to be a great evangelist in later years.
Never use the tongue as a poisonous sword that destroys others. Let it be sword that cuts across darkness of evil, sin and bad forces. Those who can control their tongue will be secure in life and the ones who cannot would perish. Tongue is the greatest of the glorious gifts that God has given, use it to spread the glory of God and the message of kindness. Remember that good old advice “Your words have power. Speak words that are kind, loving, positive, uplifting, encouraging, and life-giving.”
About the author
Jose Vazhuthanapilly, BSc., LLB, DBM, CAIIB Retired in 2008 as AGM from State Bank of India. He had worked as a visiting faculty in the Bank’s Staff Training Centers for 5 years. He is a writer with 20 books to his credit including books on self-help/ psychology. He resides in Ernakulam, Kochi. He is active also in social service. He can be contacted at josevazhuthanapilly@gmail.com
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Cover image credits: www.pixabay.com
Jose Vazhuthanapilly, BSc., LLB, DBM, CAIIB Retired in 2008 as AGM from State Bank of India. He had worked as a visiting faculty in the Bank’s Staff Training Centers for 5 years. He is a writer with 22 books to his credit including books on self-help/ psychology. He resides in Ernakulam, Kochi. He is active also in social service. He can be contacted at josevazhuthanapilly@gmail.com
Bestsellers
- Prasangakarkkulla Kadhakal (St. Paul’s Books, Ernakulam)
- EQ – Vyakti Jeevitham Mikavuttathakkam (Sophia Books, Calicut)
- Atma Viswasathinte Karuthu Nedam (Sophia Books, Calicut)
- Mano Sankharshangale Keezhadakkan Chila Prayogika Margangal (Media House, Calicut)
- Vijayam Ningalude Ullil Thanneyanu (Vimala Books)
- Fulton Sheeninte Jeevitham (Carmel International Publishing House)
- Matti Varakkam Jeevitham ( Jeevan Books)
- Vivaham Kootti Vilakkam (Media House)
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