James Week 4: Taming the Tongue

“And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” James 3:16

“And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” James 3:16 I’m sure you have all said something you didn’t mean or something you know you shouldn’t have. I know I’ve done this so many times in my life, blurted out a hurtful phrase or an inappropriate word, and it’s so hard to control. We say things that glorify God and we say things that curse His name just as easy. How do we control what we say? Is it impossible to keep these negative ideas away from our tongues?

No, it is only impossible to control your tongue if you don’t seek the help of the Holy Spirit. James 3:6 says that your tongue can corrupt your whole body, but why would God create something if He didn’t plan to use it for His good? This verse explains how powerful our words really are. We have the choice to use our words for the glory of God, or for the world.

God wants us to realize that everything we have belongs to Him, even our tongue, so we should use our words to glorify Him and not displease Him.

This can be hard especially when we are being fed by the world. Watching shows where characters constantly use bad language, do inappropriate things, and lash out verbally will hurt you more than you know. When you are constantly being fed those kinds of things, even if you read your bible and go to church, it will affect your actions and your thoughts. This verse is sort of a reality check for us to look at our actions, words, and thoughts to make sure we are only being filled by God and not by the world.

We have to be in the world but we do not have to be of the world.

Pray this with me and answer these reflection questions: Heavenly Father, I thank you for waking me up today I thank you for each other and I thank you for all you’ve given us. Today Lord, I pray that you would help me to choose my words wisely everyday. I can’t do this without you having my back, and you always being by my side. Help me to acknowledge and remove the things that are not filling my days with you. I thank you for sending your only Son to die on the cross for our sins, and be resurrected 3 days later, for us to have forever access to you. We love and trust you, and need you now, more than ever. In your name we pray, Amen

1. What negative or inappropriate words or phrases could you cut out of your vocabulary right now?

2. What are some ways you can try to tame your tongue this week?