the tongue
June 21, 2017
The best devotion I’ve ever read on taming the tongue was in the late 70’s and it was written by Christian song writer Keith Green, if I can find that devotion I will post it for you, until then…..
Taming is a process by which a wild beast is subdued into adapting and submitting to human control. As James notes, “all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind” (Jas 3:7). But despite mankind’s success in taming the animal kingdom, there is one wild thing, James says, that we haven’t been able to subdue and adapt: “No human can tame the tongue” (v.8).
While we might never fully tame our tongues, with God’s help we can learn to use our words in a manner that is increasingly more edifying and Christlike.
In what way does your tongue most often get you in trouble? Look over the following list of verses that address how we are to use our words. Choose two or three verses to memorize and reflect on daily:
Watch what you say and speak only after careful consideration.
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin” (Pr 13:3).
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity” (Pr 21:23).
Sometimes the most becoming speech is silence.
“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues” (Pr 17:28).
Seek first to understand what someone is saying before attempting to respond.
“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame” (Pr 18:13).
Be slow to speak your mind.
“Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them” (Pr 29:20).
Be wary of making trivial or casual remarks that reflect ungodly attitudes.
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken” (Mt 12:36).
Avoid obscenities, profanities and blasphemy; instead, speak words that build up others.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph 4:29).
Blessings from scumlikeuschurch@gmail.com
