A Daily Devotion for Friday October 9
James 3:2-12
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. 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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
The visual example of the crack in the windshield is a great metaphor. If I make a mistake with something I say or do, going to God, confessing and talking it over with Him, usually puts the issue to rest. If there is action to be taken on my part, I may need to apologize, or otherwise make something right. But leaving my mistakes out in the world to run their course is not usually the best choice. Sometimes our sins or mistakes stay hidden from us, and we don’t even realize the harm that has been done until destructive time has passed. This is why I need to do a better job of asking for forgiveness from God, each and every day.
Holy Lord, forgive me for all of the times I sin and fail to make things right . Help me to see when and where I can make amends. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Becky, transforming
James 3:2-12 / Psalm 19:14
Moments in my life that I regret the most are times when my spoken words were hurtful. Likewise, there have been times when I have been hurt by someone else’s words and it has stuck with me. Whispered or shouted, as described in this passage, words have tremendous power! Words can be encouraging and comforting but they can also be hurtful and discouraging. Age has allowed me to be more mindful of how my words impact others, although I know I slip from time to time…God help me.
Heavenly Father, please provide me with the wisdom to speak carefully, especially when conversations are difficult. Please help me to understand the power of my words and…
James 3:2-12/Psalm 19:14
Just about every church, club, association, workplace and family has experienced it - words spoken, usually impulsively in the heat of the moment, that damage relationships for years. No wonder James calls the tongue “a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” That two ounce hunk of muscle must be tamed by earnestly cultivating our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I have never in my mind paired the two verses that were paired today in the Upper Room. It’s never too late to learn. I am going to try to…