The Tongue

Out of the Same Mouth

James 3:8-9 states: ..."but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God".

​Although the book of James is the earliest written book of the NT canon, written C. A.D. 44-49 (Bible. introduction to James) No more truer words can be spoken of our day and time. People curse one another out of the same mouth that they praise our Lord and Savior.  I am reminded of a story about a father whose young son had a problem with this very thing. As a way to teach his son what words spoken in harm can do to others, he had his son place a nail in the wooden fence in their yard for each time he used his words unkindly. After a certain amount of time having his son to place the nails in the fence, he then told his son to remove the nails. Once the nails were removed the fence was riddled with holes. To paraphrase the story, the holes in the fence are what is left when we speak words of hurt and evil toward each other. Yes, we can apologize for our actions. However, the hurt still remains. Forgiveness can take place, but wounds take time to heal. James also tells us, "My this ought not to be so", (v10). 

Lord, we come to you today asking for forgiveness of our sin. Help us to use words that lift up and not tear down others. We have all been guilty of this sin. Forgive us Lord. Thank you for even in this, You have words for us to live by.  Help us to recall Your Word before we speak. May we continually keep Your Word in our hearts so that we may not sin against you. Thank you for loving us. It is in your precious name I pray. Amen