Comment: True to David’s psalm, the word of God serves to illuminate our path. His son, Solomon, adds, “Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee… For the commandment is a lamp… and reproofs of instruction are the way of life”. – Proverbs 6:21-23.

Evil Communication, it should be noted, is not restricted to oral pronouncements but is inclusive of written or pictorial statements which seeks to damage someone’s reputation, as well as signs or gestures that are abusive in nature.

Even when the substance or content being transmitted are verifiable, the Holy Bible lays down ways to go about it, depending on prevailing circumstances. Where it is very necessary to criticize, we should be civil in our choice of words so as not to use expressions that may be considered injurious since we shall be accountable for every idle word we speak. (Matthew 12:36,37; Ephesians 4:29) We should calm down over issues we are yet to understand, (Proverbs 6:19), avoid sowing seeds of among brethren, and try to think before talking. The Bible advices, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” – Proverbs 17:28.