Marco Materazzi

Marco Materazzi almost certainly felt chest pains for a few days. You're probably thinking he should have consulted a cardiologist, but the problem had nothing to do with his heart or arteries. Millions could attest to that; they watched on television as Zinedine Zidane gave Materazzi a vicious head-butt in the overtime period of the World Cup soccer match in August of 2006.

The game was the last in Zidane's illustrious career, and he regrets that his actions may have contributed to his teams eventual loss. Nearly four years later, however, Zidane's pain has not subsided, though the bruising to Materazzi's chest has long since faded. When asked recently if he would ever apologize for what happened that day, Zidane stated flatly, "I'd rather die."

What prompted such a violent attack in a game watched by more fans worldwide than those who watch the Super Bowl? Athletes today call it "trash talk". The tactic is designed to get inside the opponent's head, to rattle them, to throw them off their game. Materazzi made statements about Zidane's sister and mother, and those were enough to make the soccer player lose his cool.

As children, many of us memorized a poem which said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." But that's really not true, is it? Words can hurt us, and they can stick in our minds for years, even decades. Bruised muscles and broken bones usually heal, but the wounds inflicted upon our souls are far more stubborn. Sometimes these never heal.

God's word is filled with admonitions regarding the proper use of the tongue. I suspect you've heard this one: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Later in that same chapter we read this: "A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention" (Proverbs 15:18). Many such statements can be found in the book of Proverbs.

One who did not control his tongue was Shimei. King David had fled Jerusalem because of his son's attempted coup. As David and his entourage sullenly moved along, Shimei, a descendant of the late King Saul, began cursing David. David amazingly restrained his men from taking vengeance on the ranting man (2 Samuel 16:5-13). The depth of wounds caused by the "malicious curse" was revealed years later when David urged Solomon to bring justice upon Shimei (1 Kings 2:8,9).

Christians must devote their tongues to the will of God. Paul wrote these instructions: "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29). What do people feel or think after I have spoken? Do their ears sting from the bitterness of my words? Will they carry wounds that I have inflicted upon their souls? My aim should be to "impart grace" through whatever words I speak.

The point is made vivid through imagery in Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." A restaurant encourages me to return for another visit if they season their dishes carefully; otherwise I'll steer clear in the future. Will people steer clear of me because of how I season my speech?

Let's give more attention to our tongues - they may be sharper than we realize!

Timothy D. Hall.

Get a wide variety of Bible commentary and Bible study materials at http://www.abiblecommentary.com today.  There are even FREE text sermons - http://www.abiblecommentary.com/freesermons, FREE  audio sermons - http://www.abiblecommentary.com/audiosermon, and a FREE on-line commentary on the book of Romans:  http://bit.ly/3MRU5I.

The latest commentary on First Corinthians is now ready; this book is very thorough but very easy to use.  Get your copy of First Corinthians today by using this secure PayPal link:  http://bit.ly/9hyC7M