So it is with the tongue; small as it is, it can boast about great things.

Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. Man is able to tame and has tamed all other creatures - wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. But no one has every been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse our fellow-man, who is created in the likeness of God. Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My brothers, this should not happen! No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. A fig tree, my brothers, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water.

James 3:5-12

We often excuse our pet sins by giving them more acceptable names. When we have a bad temper we blame it on nerves. When we are untruthful, we sometimes admit that we exaggerate. Sometimes we call our dishonesty, just good business. In seeking to overcome these sins, we need to bring them out into the open, call them honestly by name, and sincerely repent.

To stretch the truth is to tell a lie.

Our Daily Bread - April 8, 2003