Toxic Mouth

Dear Diary,

#Shut_Down_the_Motormouth

On my Day 11 of the #40Day_Zip_it_Challenge, I learned that one of the marks of the godless (hypocrite) is that they destroy people and/or lead to overthrow of a nation with their words, Proverbs 11:9, 11-13.

How do the godless destroy their neighbours? How do salacious gossips spread? Consider gutter press, social media, newsrooms, radio stations. What be the effect? Nasty scars, damaged character! Maybe, you’re saying, “He/she deserves it!” Well, give the benefit of doubt; some of those people are lampooned and pierced mercilessly for no reason. Without thinking through or even listening to the other side of the story, some of us as soon as we see /read/hear of a scandalous gossip we hit the share/forward button. Actually, as you hit forward/share button, you don’t consider yourself godless, do you? See your life! Verse 13 tells us, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” The thing about gossip is that some of us, Christians, we share it as a sly prayer item in our prayer meetings or use it in the pulpit as a cunning sermon illustration. What we don’t realize is that it is character assassination at times!  In addition, the mouth of the godless destroys a neighbour through disparaging, perverting and corrupting them. “Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue,” v. 12.

In our country, every electioneering period is marked with viciously bitter hate speech that stirs up tribal clashes. While the mouth of the righteous is a well of life, the mouth of the godless leads to the overthrow of a nation. “Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed,” v.11.  Some of us, during our elections year- political campaigns our mouths are destructive, if you know, you know! Sitasema mengi.

Now, next time when you hear/read or see a scandalous gossip, pause and think through before you hit forward/share button. Before you disparage someone for whatever reason, think about the scars you might leave in them. You know, 2022 politics are gaining momentum; the famous handshake has kept us guessing but just before you open your mouth to speak, think through your words-don’t spread, incite, promote or justify tribal hatred. Careless words can destroy our nation.

Regards,

NzakuNashipae