December 11, 2019
James 3:8-10
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.
New International Version (NIV)
On a windswept hillside in England is a tombstone with these words:  “Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, lies Arabella Young, who on the 24th of May, finally held her tongue.”  Like Arabella, death may be the only thing that stops the misuse of our tongues. 

Do we have to say something . . . or . . . do we have something to say?  So much of the trouble in our lives begins with our words.  If our spiritual condition is measured by the words we use, how are we doing?

James devotes a large portion of his letter to problems with speech.  A bit in the mouth of a horse controls it.  A rudder steers a big ship.  But no one can control the human tongue.  It is like a spark that starts a forest fire. 

On the one hand we bless God in praise.  On the other hand, we talk badly to and about others who are created in God’s likeness.  Do we ever wonder:  how could I sing to God in worship and then say such awful things?  James wonders. 

Here is good news:  God can tame our tongues, even if we can’t.  At the end of the chapter in 3:17-18 James shows us the way of wisdom from above.  God’s wisdom is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  Let us speak words of wisdom that bring peace to others.
Pray with me:       
Father, you never waste a word.  Your words go out and never return void.  They accomplish your purposes.  Forgive us for our acerbic words which tear others down.  Intercept our thoughts before they reach our tongues and poison the atmosphere.  Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts today be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Amen.  
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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