The Tongue

James 3:9-12

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Boy, this hits real close to home for me! Yep, I do what James is describing here. When I speak ill of my fellow man, because we are all made in God’s image, I’m showing contempt for God. This had never occurred to me until this morning. Hmm…just another reminder that I must, in order to prevent what James is desribing, renew my heart and my relationship with Jesus on a daily basis.

Lord…Although we are fearfully and wonderfully made, your word tells us that the tongue is a fire. It is a world of evil among all of our body parts. You also tell us in your word that no man can control his tongue. Father, it is only through a right relationship with you that what what issues forth from our mouths can become acceptable to you. Lord, please draw us near. Let your thoughts be our thoughts. Let your words be our words. May we only speak of those things that are edifying and that glorify you. Protect us and those around us from ill spoken words.
Amen