You Are Under Arrest…

Norma J. Oliver
olivernorma@bellsouth.net

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things. Isaiah 59:3

You have the right to remain silent (and I suggest that you do). Everything you say can and will be used against you. Reader, I know you are saying, “Norma, you’ve got the wrong one. I have not committed any crime! I am an upstanding citizen in my community. I pay my taxes. Why am I being arrested?” We have witnesses and your DNA is all over the crime scene. The charge is murder! I hear you denying that you have killed anyone but the evidence leads back to you. Not only are you charged with murder but serial killing. There are victims at your job, at your church, in your home and some are total strangers. We don’t understand how you choose your victims. In every case, your weapon has been identified. It has been said: Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor… Psalm 52:2 Do you still want to enter a plea of not guilty?

Let’s take a look at your victims. The first case involves your spouse. Just this morning you told the one you vowed to love until death that (and I quote) “You make me so sick. I am so tired of having to do everything. You are no good to me. I might as well be by myself. You’re worthless. Why did I ever get married?” Were these not your words? Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 What about the exchange you had with your child? Before he or she could finish explaining why they needed the money you cut them. “Do you think I’m made of money? Every time I turn around it’s can I have? You’re so ungrateful. The answer is still no! I don’t care what it’s for!” When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19 Still convinced I’ve got the wrong person? What about on the drive into work in rush hour traffic? Someone cut in front of you and you cursed them. You judged them simply by looking at them. Another one bites the dust. Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars? Isaiah 57:4 You get to work and here comes your co-worker to greet you. Before he can open his mouth you yell: “Get out of my face! I’m not in the mood for your mess today. I’m barely in the door and here you come with that fake smile. Don’t ‘good morning’ me. I’m only here for the check. I don’t come here to make friends. I see how everyone looks at me. They’re just jealous.” As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks. Proverbs 25:23 Your final victims seem to share the same pew with you. You greet them every Sunday but no later than the preacher dismisses the service you are talking about them. You get with other church-goers and discuss who had on what, why so and so shouldn’t be over the annual day; when is the pastor going to get rid of all the hypocrites in the church. You have reported to the pastor who is doing what, when, where and with whom. Just like a double edged sword you wield your tongue and leave a path of bodies. Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him. Jeremiah 9:8 Are you ready to enter a plea? Would you like to have an attorney now? Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. Psalm 5:9

You turn to me as you realize your guilt. You want to speak with your attorney but even she is afraid to speak for you. As you stand before the Judge you begin to speak: Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Psalm 51:14 It seems as if you have a change of heart but how could you not have known how many you have hurt? The Judge has heard enough. He begins to speak. A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. (Proverbs 17:20) A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. (Proverbs 11:12) Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (Proverbs 17:28) He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. (Proverbs 21:23) A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs 26:28) If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (James 1:26) The Judge asks you to enter a plea and you say: “Father, forgive me for my many sins. I have sinned against You and You alone. Heavenly Father, I repent of all that I have done. I will reconcile myself to those that I have hurt and to you. I will turn away from my wicked ways and pray for your strength to bridle my tongue. I will only speak life and not death. Please have mercy on me even though I don’t deserve it. Lord, I am at a loss for words as to what to pray but in your infinite wisdom you know my every need. May Thy will be done and grant me the wisdom to accept it. Thank you, Lord and I give you all the honor and praise. This I ask in the matchless name of Jesus, Amen and thank God.” The Judge sees that your heart is sincere. He bangs the gavel, “Case dismissed!” Be encouraged!