Holes in the Fence
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).
How many times have we been guilty of speaking words in anger, only to later regret them? The phrase, “If only I could take it back!” has been repeated countless times. Although we may apologize for callous remarks, the “damage” may not heal for some time. The following story well illustrates this point.
A young boy possessed a bad temper, frequently causing him to say hurtful words to siblings, friends and even his parents. Following many scoldings, spankings and time-outs, his father decided to try something different. Every time his son made a malicious remark, his father gave him a 6-inch spike to hammer into an old fence in the back.
The first day the boy drove eight spikes into the fence. That night, his hands and arms ached terribly. He then realized that it would be easier to hold his tongue rather than continue to drive those spikes into the fence. Within a few days the number of spikes he drove into the fence declined to zero.
His father then commended him and suggested that they go out back and remove a few of the spikes. After doing so, the father said, "You have done well, son, and I am glad that you are now careful with your words. But there’s another lesson to be learned. See the holes in the fence? Although the fence still stands, it's not the same as before. It's the same way when we say something mean. Angry words leave scars, just like the holes in the fence. Even if we ask for forgiveness, the “holes” may remain for some time. So always be careful with your words."
“There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18).
A Recommitted Me in 2023!
Dennis
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).
How many times have we been guilty of speaking words in anger, only to later regret them? The phrase, “If only I could take it back!” has been repeated countless times. Although we may apologize for callous remarks, the “damage” may not heal for some time. The following story well illustrates this point.
A young boy possessed a bad temper, frequently causing him to say hurtful words to siblings, friends and even his parents. Following many scoldings, spankings and time-outs, his father decided to try something different. Every time his son made a malicious remark, his father gave him a 6-inch spike to hammer into an old fence in the back.
The first day the boy drove eight spikes into the fence. That night, his hands and arms ached terribly. He then realized that it would be easier to hold his tongue rather than continue to drive those spikes into the fence. Within a few days the number of spikes he drove into the fence declined to zero.
His father then commended him and suggested that they go out back and remove a few of the spikes. After doing so, the father said, "You have done well, son, and I am glad that you are now careful with your words. But there’s another lesson to be learned. See the holes in the fence? Although the fence still stands, it's not the same as before. It's the same way when we say something mean. Angry words leave scars, just like the holes in the fence. Even if we ask for forgiveness, the “holes” may remain for some time. So always be careful with your words."
“There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18).
A Recommitted Me in 2023!
Dennis
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