Things have been somewhat “dirty” in the language department among celebrities lately, don’t you think?  Well, actually it is not just a “lately” problem.  It seems we have come to the point where such things are the order of the day for many.  Most recently it has been Tiger Woods and his temper tantrum, then there was Serena Williams having hers and even the usually reserved Roger Federer showed that he has some expletives in his vocabulary that ought to be deleted.

Someone might object by saying, “You should not judge people by their words.  They were just mad.  After all, haven’t you ever heard the expression, ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover?’”  I am familiar with that phrase, but would ask in return, “If the cover of the book is not important, why do publishers spend tons of money to make the cover of a book as attractive as possible?’

In reality, the tongue is truly a difficult member of the body for anyone to control.  The Bible makes note of this very thing.  Consider these words of the inspired writer: “If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2).  He goes on to teach: “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing,” but concludes with the warning, “My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10).  So, how do we keep our tongues in check?

I believe the key to this goes beyond the quality of words we store in our vocabulary.  In fact, the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.  It was Jesus who said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34b).

Further, there is also the matter of self-control.  We all can be tempted to say and do things that are not right (especially in anger), but that does not mean the temptation is beyond our control.  And that is the point.  We must learn to control ourselves!  Solomon wrote, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).  Therefore, get a grip- - and zip your lip!