My Tongue

James 3:1-12   

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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

Pray it:

O my Father, You have granted me to have learned so much about You, Your Word and Your ways! When I presume to share some of that knowlege, please put Your guard on my mouth, to not presume anything, but speak only what You know the listener needs to hear.

Father, I know that in the past, my tongue has set ablaze a whole situation! Please help me to not do that again--help me to engage my brain before I put my mouth in gear! Help me always to give You praise, and to have ready honest compliments for those made in Your image. Help me to not criticize or find fault, but to recognize the good that You are doing, even in those who don't seem to know You yet. Help me to see others the way You see them, through Your eyes of love.