Four businessmen were traveling together on a private plane. The plane crashed, and they were stranded on a snow-covered mountain in the middle of nowhere. Several days went by, and they knew that rescue planes would have given up searching by now. They had no food, and knew they would slowly freeze to death. As you might expect, they spent their time talking about the things they had, and had not, accomplished in their life.

The men decided to share their most intimate secrets.

The first man said, “Let me begin. I want to get this off my chest. I’ve been stealing money from the company for years.”

The second man said, “I got my job with the company by lying. I didn’t really have all that experience. I never went to college. I never even finished high school.”

The third man said, “I have a drinking problem. All those days that I was late, and all those meetings I missed, weren’t due to illness. I was too drunk to show up.”

The fourth man said, “My problem is…” Then suddenly there appeared a rescue plane. The men were saved.

One of the men said to the fourth man, “Go ahead, tell us what your problem is.”

“I’d rather not,” he replied.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” the others urged. “We shared our problem with you. It can’t be that bad.”

“My problem,” said the fourth man, “is… well… I’m a terrible gossip, and I can’t wait to get home!”

Imagine for a moment a country where everyone carries a deadly weapon. Men, women, and children are constantly armed. It’s very dangerous. It’s always loaded. Well, look around. I’m talking about your country. This dangerous weapon is our tongue. Its power has destroyed lives, separated families, and even started wars. Words can hurt people very deeply. Take the sting out of your weapon, by using only words of kindness and encouragement, and lifting up praises to God.



James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!