What is the biggest killer of all time? Wars? Diseases? Famines? Earthquakes? Nope! It's your tongue!

Have you noticed the increase in acrimony, anger and even hatred between you and your friends, family members and other associates? This is a growing problem and those who know and follow Jesus should know what is really going on; and you don't have to be either a victim nor one who may be responsible for promoting this destructive action.

  

We are told in Matthew 24 "that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved, (Matthew 24:10-13)." 

Many may not be experiencing this malady, but I believe many do and may not realize they are feeding into this diabolical temptation because their heart is not right with God. Little do these sad and afflicted people realize that they pour gasoline into the fire when they gossip and embellish snide and even joking comments about others behind their backs. Those who do this are narcissistic control freaks who need healing.

We are told that arguments and acrimony and even hatred towards others is not really coming from you or the other person in question, that it is really the demons and evil spirits who are trying to create divisions among friends and relatives, as we are told in Ephesians 6:

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, (Ephesians 6:12).

We also see how we can overcome this negative participation (through gossip, lying and spreading unfounded rumors) in the following verse: 

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints, 

(Ephesians 6:14-18)."

Unfortunately, even though we know the instigator of this evil behavior, many of you continue this negative behavior because your own pain and past injuries from others are too difficult to forget, and your pride prevents you from forgiving and forgetting. You feel your power and control over others will be taken away from you, not realizing you are committing grave harm  not only to yourself, but to those who actually love you.

Remember, these two things:

There are six things that the Lord hates,

seven that are an abomination to him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked plans,

feet that hurry to run to evil,

a lying witness who testifies falsely,

and one who sows discord in a family.

- Proverbs 6:16-19

Secondly, God knows how difficult it is to tame the tongue (James 3:7-8). But He also says it can be prevented if you keep your mouth shut! If you don't talk, then you can't gossip, can't spread gossip, and can't create gossip. What usually happens is that people spread misinformation, not having all the facts and someone's life and reputation are injured or destroyed. Remember, we are accountable to God for every word that comes out of our mouth (Matthew 12:36). Be careful what you say and type, for you will be held accountable by God, Who is omniscient (that is, God knows all, even the very number of hairs on our head). 

Does this message seem rather harsh? We see in the news where people are dying all over the world due to wars, famine, natural calamities such as floods, tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters we have no control of. But we do have control of the biggest killer of all time...your tongue!

Some may think a little rumor here and there or passing gossip to another is no big thing. But, remember, It is the tongue that starts wars, arguments, dissension, false rumors, slander, ruined reputations and other never ending conflicts. The tongue is the fired bullet that can never be retrieved, injuring and even killing heart and soul!

Can you tame yours? Or will you be responsible for others and your own destruction?

I'm in His Peace!

For information about the author's two books, please click onThe End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access his other blogs and web sites, please click on Joe Ortiz