I know you’re sadly dismayed at the person who misunderstood what you said and then twisted your words to misrepresent your conduct to your family and friends. I felt the same sting when the religious leaders misunderstood my good news for love and compassion and communicated to the world an evil spirit was the source of the miracles and good deeds I did for others. (Healing for Your Wounded Heart)

The tongue is a fire, and it spews embers without realizing how it burns whoever may be in its path. You feel violated and vulnerable when you are on the receiving end of someone’s gossip and abuse. It is troubling to believe someone you trusted took advantage of you. You realize the power of life and death is in the spoken words of the mouth.

Take heart, don’t let those who attack you destroy who I created you to be. Don’t become resentful and let hate take over your life toward them. I led a perfect life, and people failed to understand and love me either. People will always hear what they want to believe. Some will consider the gossip and recognize the truth; others won’t. Don’t spend your life trying to prove your innocence; let me be your defender and trust that I will bring everything into account, and your accuser is already reaping the consequences of their actions. I understand the sting of being misunderstood like no one else. Trust me, and I will extinguish the fiery words of death and give you life.

Scripture:

The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” John 8:48 NIV

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6 NIV

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT

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