Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
7 “People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our LORD and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of GOD. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can not draw fresh water from a salty pool.” ~ James 3:7-12
If no human being can control the tongue, then why bother trying? Even though we may not achieve perfect control of our tongues, the Holy Spirit will help us learn self-control. Remember that we are not fighting the tongue’s fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say, so that when we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of GOD’s love, and we will not react in a hateful manner. When we are criticized, the Spirit will heal the hurt and help keep us from lashing out.
Our contradictory speech often puzzles us. At times our words are right and pleasing to GOD, but at other times they are violent and destructive. Which of these speech patterns reflects our true identity? We were made in GOD’s image, but the tongue gives us a picture of our basic sinful nature. GOD works to change us from the inside out. When the Holy Spirit purifies a heart, He gives self-control so that we will speak words that please HIM.
Father GOD, we pray for self-control. Send YOUR Holy Spirit Father, to put a watch over our mouths. Give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say. Help us not to offend others and remind us of YOUR love so that we will not react in a hateful manner. When we are criticized or hurt, we ask that YOU heal us LORD and keep us from lashing out. Change us from the inside out and purify our hearts so that we may speak words that are pleasing to YOU.
Photo: Jacques-Cartier Park (Quebec, Canada)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
