Articles
Biting and Devouring
Think back to elementary school. One of the biggest problems among students was and is the continuous gossiping, tattling, and other idle words that hurt the feelings of others. Whether based on accurate information or simply made up of wild accusations and suppositions, this hurtful talk to or about others causes problems both in youth and in adulthood. Paul noticed a problem in the Galatian churches. Addressing that problem, the apostle reminded them first that, “through love serve one another,” and, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” (Gal. 5:13-14). In verse 15 he drives the point home by warning that, “if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
Biting and devouring are terms common in the animal kingdom. When a lion catches his prey, he bites it to wound it, then devours it to satisfy his hunger. Why would Paul use such vivid language in this context? What does it mean to bite and devour one another? Ephesians 4 perhaps gives us a clearer understanding of this problem that was (and is) found even among God’s people. We sometimes cite verse 29 to show that cursing and filthy language is wrong. However, it is warning us of much more than just swear words. Paul says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up . . . that is may give grace to those who hear.” In verse 31 Paul includes things such as bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice. These are things that cause biting and devouring. When we speak bitter, hurtful words full of anger and malice, we are tearing down the hearers rather than giving grace.
This “speech problem” reaches deeper than simply the utterances of our voices. The words we speak can be traced back to our hearts! Back in Galatians 5, Paul instructs us to love others as we love ourselves. If we do not have love in our hearts for our neighbors, brothers, and sisters, we are failing to follow one of the fundamental laws of Christianity. This lack of love is shown in our speech to and about others. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 that, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” He explains that good hearts produce good, and evil hearts produce evil. We are told in James 3:10 that it ought not be so that from the same mouth come blessing and cursing. So, if we speak evil (bitter words, gossip, slander, angry words, etc.) against our brethren, it shows that we have evil in our hearts. This evil comes out in our speech and causes pain and wounds, and can completely tear someone down.
We all understand that words are powerful and can hurt others. We teach children to say “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” As much as we encourage them to ignore hurtful words, those words can do much more damage and cause more hurt than any physical harm. However, the hurt is not limited to the hearers. Our focus verse says, “if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” Paul is giving a stern and serious warning that these bitter, harmful, devouring words can turn right around and consume those who speak them! Consider the gossiper. He hears some “dirt” on someone else, or gives his opinion of someone to others. This initially may be appealing in a way because we all like to be in the know. However, once things circulate, he may begin to hear things about himself that he does not like. Before long, two brothers are set at odds, each one hurt and offended, but neither ready to apologize because of careless words! The one biting and devouring has become consumed by a trap of the devil. Before you talk about someone behind his back, before you share what was told to you in confidence, before you start venting your anger on someone, consider Paul’s warning! Harmful speech can and will consume everyone involved.
Christians are to walk circumspectly, or carefully (Eph. 5:15). We are to be sober-minded and vigilant against the devil (1 Pet. 5:8). We are to truly love and seek the best for our brethren and our neighbors (Gal. 5:14). If we truly consider our walk, making sure to be careful in word and deed, we will take serious note of Paul’s warning about the seriousness of strife. Consider that in judgment we will give account for every careless word we have spoken (Mt. 12:26-27). If you have fallen into the self-destructive trap of biting and devouring, please consider your way and make it right with your brother! Our souls depend on it! “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue . . . this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26).
