Cannibalism is very much still alive today despite being
considered repulsive by the vast majority of societies.
There are, however, areas where eating human flesh is
ingrained in tradition and a part of the culture.
People turn to cannibalism for a number of reasons, ranging
from religious ceremonies to an extreme, desperate need. *
These places include Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Congo and other
places in the world.
Education page 235
says, "We think with horror of the
cannibal who feasts on the still warm and trembling flesh of his victim; but
are the results of even this practice more terrible than are the agony and ruin
caused by misrepresenting motive, blackening reputation, dissecting character?"
Cannibalism is a terrible thing and is outlawed in most
places. And yet most people practice a form of cannibalism every single day!
Are you guilty of it? Am I?
Gossip...... What a dreadful practice it is and how readily
and quickly we indulge in it. It's as if we find delight in
"feasting" upon the faults and imperfections of others.
Education, page
235 continues: "Let the children,
and the youth as well, learn what God says about these things: 'Death and life
are in the power of the tongue.' Pro. 18:21."
Death and life? Does that mean I can "eat" or
"kill" someone with my tongue? It sure sounds like it!
Psalms 57:4 says, "My
soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the
sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword."
Here the tongue is said to be a sharp sword! Swords can kill! Just look at
all the wars that were fought and waged with swords! How many people died
because of the sword. And yet our tongues are said to be swords, meaning we can
kill people with our words.
Gossipers and backbiters virtually do the same thing -
"indulge" themselves on the faults and failings of others.
Education has even
more to say about this: "In
Scripture, backbiters are classed with 'haters of God,' with 'inventors of evil
things,' with those who are 'without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful,'
'full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity.' It is 'the judgment of God,
that they which commit such things are worthy of death.' Rom 1:30-31; Rom 1:29;
Rom 1:32."
What a terrible description of a backbiter! But in reality,
it's no different than killing and eating someone's dead carcase! What's the
difference? Nothing!! And it says that those who commit such things are worthy
of death. Why? Because if you are guilty of killing someone whether literally
or with words, then you are worthy to die. That's what they did in the Old
Testament times that if you killed a man, you would die also. Talk about a
serious crime!
But Psalms 15 describes someone who will someday be a citizen
of the great city of Zion. It says in verse 3, "He that backbiteth no with his tongue..."
Education says, "He whom God accounts a citizen of Zion
is he that 'speaketh the truth in his heart;' 'that backbiteth not with his
tongue,' 'nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.' Psa 15:2-3."
I want to be this kind of person, don't you? I don't want to
be a modern-day cannibal! Let's ask God to help us be careful with our tongues
that we can use them for blessing others instead of killing them with our sharp
words.
* https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1467880/nine-places-across-the-world-where-cannibalism-is-still-alive-and-well/
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