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On Being Christian - Self-Control Begins with Tongue Control
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| "Good feelings are silent. The feelings which seek expression in words are mostly egotistical, since they seek to express what flatters our self-love and can show us, as we imagine, in the best light." Those who speak in abundance deem their words worthy to be heard. It is born from pride, self-pride, that what we have to say is important. Like a man boasting, he tries to draw the attention away from God and place the attention on himself. Words are not needed for God as He hears our mind's thoughts, and our heart's rhythm. Words are used for men, not God. "He that uses many words shall be abhorred."(a).
"Wishing to show how difficult it is for a talkative man to refrain from saying something harmful, sinful and wrong, the Apostle James said the keeping the tongue within its rightful bounds is the property only of the perfect: 'If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body'"(b). Let us examine the prose of St. James in two ways. 1.) "If any man offend not in word,". It can be understood that the person who can control his own tongue and never offend another through words is a man fully capable of control all the needs, wants and desires of his body. This is the act of perfection St. James speaks about, that he who can curb his tongue from all offense is a man capable of fully mortifying his body to desires as a whole. 2.) But too, this may also be taken as a meaning, he who is not offended by words is also someone fully in charge of his body's desires. For when offense words come to us and we let them roll of us like water on a duck, then have tamed our heart and controlled our senses. This too is the sign of a perfect man. That no offense can cause the stillness of this man's heart to be troubled. Silence is prayerful thought. Silence is contentment even in the presence of sheer madness. Silence is peaceful. Silence is a weapon that pride, vanity and self-glory have no way to overcome. For when we are silent, we may hear the words of God. When we are silent we may calm the fires of desire that try to spring forth from our body. Silence is a power unto itself. Silence is humility. For when we speak we can not receive, except the sound of our own words. St Isaac says that silence, "is the mystery of the life to come; whereas words are the instruments of this world." Silence is a training tool to practice, a shield against the many attacks of this world. A young boy comes to his mother and complains that his older brothers are picking on him. To which his mother says, "They only do it to get you to react. If you don't react it is no fun for them." These words of wisdom show the power of silence. That when the world mocks you, makes fun of you, or laughs at your spiritual attempts shield yourself with silence and it too shall silence them __________________________________________ |
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Based on the writings of Saint Nicodemus in Unseen Warfare.
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