The Christian Online Magazine -
Visit Connie's Site
Do I have the mouth of an asp or adder which stores poison - even bitter words - and am ready to kill in an instant the fine and respectable reputation of someone whom I may envy, dislike, or am embittered towards?
James 3:8 - "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
Psalm 140:3 - "They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips."
Romans 3:13 - "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN SEPULCHRE; WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY HAVE USED DECEIT; THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS."
In speaking of the Tongue, the Apostle James uses a very graphic metaphor - "full of deadly poison." At first glance, we might say - "This is very Strong language."
Yet, James is not alone in his depiction, for King David used the same illustration in Psalm 140:3 - "adders' poison is under their lips" and the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:13 - "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS."
The particular serpent each writer had in mind was the asp or adder which is among the most poisonous of serpents. Read what Barnes' Notes has to say about this species of serpent -
"The asp, or adder, is a species of serpent whose poison is of such active operation that it kills almost the instant that it penetrates, and that without remedy. It is small, and commonly lies, concealed, often in the 'sand' in the road, and strikes the traveler before he sees it. It is found chiefly in Egypt and Lybia. It is said by ancient writers that the celebrated Cleopatra, rather than be carried a captive to Rome by Augustus, suffered an asp to bite her in the arm, by which she soon died..."
Both David and Paul made reference to the poison beneath the lips of the serpent. Once again, read Barnes' Notes for a very precise explanation -
"The poison of the serpent is contained in a small bag which is concealed at the root of the tooth. When the tooth is struck into the flesh, the poison is pressed out through a small hole in the tooth, into the wound."
The poison of this most venomous reptile is of "such active operation", "kills almost the instant that it penetrates", and "that without remedy." With this in mind, the Apostle James says of the human Tongue - "...it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
In using such vivid terminology, all three writers had in mind the horrendous damage and death caused by the slanderer, gossip, backbiter, talebearer, and whisperer to the reputation and happiness of another. Just as the poison of the asp or adder is rapid, certain, spreading quickly, and producing death; even so are the words of the slanderer rapid in spreading quickly through the group, church, office, job force, family, ministry, etc. They are certain to produce instant death to the reputation, honor, and well-being of their victim.
The poison of the serpent kills the instant that it penetrates and "that without remedy."
Even so, the words of the slanderer kill the good name and image of the victim the moment they penetrate the ears, mind, and heart of the listener.
It's often true that even after the slanderer repents of vilifying another's reputation, the damage is so great as to be almost - "that without remedy." The victim, who once was respected and loved, is never truly accepted among the group in the same light as before.
James very fittingly classified the Tongue as an "unruly evil." It can't be restrained. It breaks all bounds. It is inconstant, unstable, and restless.
He then adds that it is "full of deadly poison." That word deadly means fatal, death-bringing, and death-bearing.
Psalm 52:2 - The Tongue "deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully."
Psalm 57:4 - It is likened to a "sharp sword." It's a vicious murderer. It brutally kills its victim.
The Apostle Paul compared the throat of the slanderer and talebearer to "an open sepulchre." After slaying the reputation of their victim through lying, defamation, and malicious and wicked words, they seek to bury and totally wipe out the honorable reputation of their victim.
A few questions that we must ask ourselves are -
Is my tongue "full of deadly poison"?
Am I like the asp or the adder which operates in a concealed fashion and then strikes its victim at the most unexpected moments?
How many person's reputations have I buried in the open sepulchre of my mouth?
Oh! That God would use this message to open our eyes to see how destructive our Tongues can be to the reputation, good name, well-being, and happiness of another!
May we never play a part - whether it be that of the slanderer or listener - of conveying the malicious gossip and slander of others.
May our Tongues never be death-bringing or death-bearing.
On the contrary, may we be messengers of the Life, Love, and Truth of God to all mankind.
Copyright 2003 by Connie Giordano
