“What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.” (Proverbs 18:21 TEV)

    A few weeks ago, thousands of Internet users received an e-mail with the words “Important Message” in the subject line. The body of the e-mail said: ‘‘Here is that document you asked for ... don’t show it to anyone else.’’ A winking emoticon followed. ;-) Attached to the e-mail was a document file.

    Recipients of that particular e-mail were startled to discover that upon opening the attached file, their computer immediately began mailing copies of the “Important Message” (and it’s attached file) to the first fifty addresses in their Internet address book.

    The computer virus now known as “Melissa” wreaked havoc with people and companies nation-wide, the likes of which included huge organizations like DuPont, Honeywell, The Associated Press, Compaq Computer, Lockheed Martin and the North Dakota state government.” The cost to companies, governments and individuals in terms of lost productivity can only guessed at — while the profits for virus software makers will be actually accounted! — but will undoubtedly range into the millions of dollars.

This a perfect parable of the way our words can work harm in others.

    Now viruses are nothing new to the computer world. So what made this insidious new virus spread so fast?

    Eric Lundquist, editor in chief of PC Week, summed the matter up well: “The reason this is spreading so rapidly is that you’re getting it from people you know and you trust,” he said. “You should never open documents or attachments from people you don’t know, but this is the first one you need to be careful of opening documents from people you do know.” [emphasis mine, DPS]

    Who created and distributed this costly virus? That remains to be seen, but authorities have charged a computer programmer, David L. Smith* with several counts, including interruption of public communications, conspiracy and theft of computer service. Together, these charges carry a potential maximum penalty of forty years in the big house and nearly a half a million dollars in fines.

    Smith’s attorney, Steven Altman, says his client never intended to do anything wrong and says he will plead innocent to all charges. In Altman’s words: “Nothing he did, or intended to do, had a premeditated or wrongful intent.”

    Now why am I reiterating this story? Because it is a perfect parable of the way our words can work harm in others. Think about it - very personally. Have you ever heard yourself think / say anything like the following?

• “I didn’t tell them anything God himself wouldn’t have told them if He had been here and seen . . .”
  “[Wisdom says] . . . to fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” (Proverbs 8:13 NIV)

• “I never intended to imply . . .”
  “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver . . . “ (Proverbs 10:19-20 NIV)

• “Everyone knows . . .”
  “A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” (Proverbs 11:12-13 NIV)

• I didn’t mean it.”
  “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)

• “You should have heard the way they talked to me.”
  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” (Proverbs 15:1-2 NIV)

• “They’ll never talk like that to me again. I’ll get the last say on this!”
  “A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.” (Proverbs 16:27 NIV)

• “And then I told them . . .”
  “Someone who is sure of himself does not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight.” (Proverbs 17:27 TEV)

• “Did you hear about _____? We need to pray for them!”
  “Gossip is so tasty - how we love to swallow it!” (Proverbs 18:8 TEV)

• “I’ll just blow a little smoke up . . .”
  “Insincere talk that hides what you are really thinking is like a fine glaze on a cheap clay pot.” (Proverbs 26:23 TEV)

• “You’re so good you make everyone else look silly . . .”
  “A hypocrite hides their hate behind flattering words. They may sound fine, but don’t believe them, because their heart is filled to the brim with hate. They may disguise his hatred, but everyone will see the evil things they do.” (Proverbs 26:24-25 TEV, adapted with neuter gender pronouns)

• “It wasn’t really a lie, it was . . .”
  “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” (Proverbs 26:28 NIV)

• “All I said was . . .”
  “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. And the tongue is like a fire. . . .” (James 3:5 NIV)