Tamming The Tongue

 

How often I fail in this area. In my home with my family, at work with my coworkers and in public with strangers.

 

We can all too often allow ourselves to react to things in a worldly way or with anger, disgust, frustration and contempt. We can get caught up in the moment and say things or do things that could very possibly give people the wrong idea of what a disciple is. Remember that we are different, and people see that and want to know why. They watch us and some even ask questions.  How can we be a example to others when we cant control something as simple as what we say? 

The bible says that no man can tame the tongue.  Though we can guard our harts from impurity we can not tame the tongue.

 

 

 

^{James 3:1} Not many of you should presume to be teachers,   my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged ^f  more strictly.    

^{James 3:2} 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.   

^{James 3:3} When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.    

^{James 3:4} 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. 

^{James 3:5} 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. 

^{James 3:6} 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.   

^{James 3:7} All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 

^{James 3:8} but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  

^{James 3:9} With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.    

^{James 3:10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 

^{James 3:11} Can both fresh water and salt  water flow from the same spring? 

^{James 3:12} My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

 

Wars have been started with words, Peoples harts broken by words, childrens spirits broken by words, and lives destroyed by words.

 

Dose this mean that all is lost? The bible says that we all stumble in many ways. What do we do when we stumble?

Paul pleaded with God 3 times asking him to remove the thorn from his side. But what did god tell him?

 

 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

 

We repent! Humbly Repent!

 

Haven't wars been stopped with words, peoples harts mended with words, children's spirits renewed with words and lives enriched those words?  Learning to tame the tongue can be a daily battle but one that every christian should consider one of his greatest endeavors.