Controlling my tongue

We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures – wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen! (verses 7-10)

Read James 3: 1-12

It can be interesting to go to a zoo and observe how people have sometimes been able to tame wild animals. Nobody on earth, however, has been able to tame the tongue. The tongue is a small but very important member of our body. God created the tongue, together with other members of our body, to be used to his glory.

The tongue can be used to boast about great things and at other times to speak gentle, kind words to others. When it isn’t controlled by a Christian spirit, it can be evil, full of deadly poison and involved in cursing. I can use my tongue to give praise and thanks to God and at other times to speak evil of other people.

Who will rescue me from the evil use of my tongue? I praise the Lord that he will give me the victory through faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that God will use my tongue to speak of Jesus and his love for me and all people.

Lord, ‘take my lips and let them be, filled with messages from thee’. Amen.

by Paul Albers, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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