"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Prov. 12:18).
A man was once court-martialed and sentenced to a year's imprisonment for being a discourager. It happened during the Boer War at the siege of Ladysmith. The fortunes of the town and garrison were hanging in the balance.
This civilian would go along the lines and speak discouraging words to the men on duty. He struck no blow for the enemy, not one. He was just a discourager, but at a critical time. The court-martial judged it a crime to speak disheartening words in an hour like that.
- J. A. Clark
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