American television executives and networks have in the last decade spawned a whole industry of programming known as “Reality TV”. Of course, the dirty little secret of reality TV producers is that much of the production is scripted and intended to garner a following employing provocative language, sordid conflicts and morally deficient scenes designed to titillate lusts [all sad indicators of the decay of our society]. Backbiting, gossip and “cat fights” are regular fare in many of the shows. Troubling to me is the sensationalism portrayed by reality TV has become the norm for our culture. Solomon stated a proverb 3,000 years ago we would be wise to heed:
Proverbs 21:23 – “Whoso keepeth [observe; guard; keep watch] his mouth and his tongue [language; speech] keepeth [observe; guard; keep watch] his soul [life; person; heart; mind] from troubles [distress; adversity; tribulation].”
The tongue within the mouth of a man who lacks discretion is as destructive as that man putting a knife to his own throat! It is a troublesome reality that an unbridled tongue can be as dangerous as a runaway horse! Solomon encouraged his son to hold his tongue when he needed to be silent and he would keep himself from troubles, trials and tribulations. Peter exhorted the 1st century church:
1 Peter 3:10 – “For he that will love [enjoy] life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile [deceit]:”
Some reading today’s devotion have a tongue like a dagger and your gossip is malicious, insensitive and contentious. You cannibalize others and in the process prove what James warned:
James 1:26 – “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
Copyright 2015 Travis D. Smith