I never liked the movie, Bambi. To be quite frank, I don’t personally know anyone who does. After all, who wants to watch a baby deer become orphaned and have to figure life out on his own? I certainly don’t!
Truthfully, I don’t think I have watched the 1942 film since childhood, but one phrase from it has stuck with me my entire life. And these wise (and life-changing) words are from none other than Thumper, the rabbit.
Shortly after the birth of Bambi, the fawn is introduced to Thumper and his herd of brothers and sisters. Thumper befriends the young deer and happens to be present when sweet young Bambi attempts to take his first steps. As he staggers and stumbles, little Thumper makes an unnecessary comment that merits some rebuking from his mother. Quickly, she asked him what his dad had told him – just that morning!
Without missing a beat, he says, “If you can’t say nothing nice, don’t say nothing at all.”
And twenty years later, his advice is still relevant.
Don’t believe me? Go read some comments on social media and get back to me. I’m sure you’ll change your mind and wish others followed it!
Not too long ago, I was doing that very same thing. As I scrolled through Facebook, I noticed a flood of hurtful comments on the post of someone I loved dearly … and who was also going through a hard season of life. My blood pressure increased, and I could feel my protective instincts flaring.
“You don’t know what they’re going through,” I wanted to type angrily. “If you only knew, you would be kind and gracious!”
But as my heart rate slowed down, it hit me.
Are kind words in today’s world solely dependent on pity?
It shouldn’t be! As believers, we have been given countless Scriptures and commands on being kind and loving others – no matter what – at all times. But it seems that somewhere between the pages of the Word and the tip of our tongues, we forget to apply them.
In James 3:5-9, we are given a powerful comparison of how dangerous the tongue can be. It reads,
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
Within our mouths, we were armed with something akin to fire and deadly poison. And too often, we (even as believers) send those weapons soaring. In one breath, we praise Him. In the next, we curse everything from his creation to the one delivering our food to the table. May it no longer be so.
How are you using your words today?
