Today’s scripture: James 3:8-10 (NRSV) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Dawn Horn):
Well, right out of the starting gate, we know this one is going to be hard. You will note, however, that no person can tame the tongue. It means we all have “blown it” and probably will continue to do so without effort on our part and help from the Holy Spirit.
Right after I had a very loud disagreement with my partner over something (which, in retrospect, I can see was 98% my fault), God had me read in my devotions the very next morning about the tongue. This was under the heading of “Marks of Maturity.” Well, needless to say, I got down on my knees real quick and asked for forgiveness (once again). I recalled 1 John 1-9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that God through John gave us this verse.
I also asked my partner for forgiveness and we had a meaningful period of communication, cooperation, and compromise. I’m not too great in any of these areas. But, Christ in me is teaching me the how, why, and when. I’m a work in progress.
I hope my “confession time” will help someone else to stop and think before they speak. I think maybe John wrote this down because he may have had trouble with his tongue, and he definitely saw it in the new churches that were being established in his day.
I believe gossip, slander, complaining, and many other forms of “tongue poison” are prevalent in our churches today. “These things ought not to be so.” How far have we really come from when James penned these words?
Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, we know these things “ought not to be so” but we confess that sometimes we are part of the problem. Help us, Holy Spirit, to check our poisonous tongues at the door of your Church — and not only there, but keep us aware of the words we speak at all times. Help me to keep my words wholesome, honorable and loving. In the power of your holy name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.