Taming the Tongue

DAILY READING

James 3:1-12

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Did I Just Say That Out loud?

by Judy Webb

I remember how annoyed I would become whenever my husband and I would have a disagreement. Eventually he would just clam up, he'd give me the silent treatment, sometimes for days. When he would finally speak, it was as if nothing had happened. No referencing our last conversation (or fight), just resuming life. I would get so angry by this behavior, but now, studying these verses I am thinking perhaps he just wanted to make sure he didn't say anything he would regret later on. I never viewed his silence from this vantage point. 

I heard someone say recently, "don't say something permanently painful just because you are temporarily ticked off".  Wise words for sure, and one we all could put into practice to better love one another. One anothering ain’t easy. I have been thinking a lot lately about because of all the hate talk we read online.

The old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me,” is not true in the least. This was a shout many of us used when another kid would call names and use harsh words. But these words did hurt. Sometimes these hurts were even carried over into our adult lives.

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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (James 3:5-6 NIV)

Gossip is a type of fire starter; we use gossip to fuel our popularity and/or egos. It can destroy another person’s good name. My grandfather used to tell us, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” This is a great practice for each of us. But an even better practice is to find something good to say. Search out the good points in each other and highlight them. Practice speaking positive and uplifting words to one another and watch the world change.

 PRAYER PRACTICE

Lord, guide my words and help me recognize when I might be saying something to build myself up, never thinking how I might be tearing someone else down. Remind of the words in James 3:8a "but no human being can tame the tongue." We must turn to you, Jesus, everyday for the strength and wisdom to recognize and use words of love.