How many times have you said something that you wished you had not? According to the letter of James, the blame for such mistakes is placed on the tongue. From his letter we read what James says, “And the tongue is a fire. And is itself set on fire by hell!” James 6:3.

Wow, what a strong statement is put on the tongue! Can you imagine, since when did the tongue speak its own thoughts? Can we today really say it and mean it, that all my hurtful words come only from the tongue, and the tongue alone! Of course, I don’t know for sure because I don’t speak in hurtful words, and I’m sure you don’t either. But most of us know some who may.

It is true that everything we say out-loud comes off our bodily instrument that has been given the name, tongue. But the intent to say something hurtful to another has its source from other organs of our body, such as the brain or the heart. None of us can use the excuse that the tongue made me say words that are used to hurt another, no way not in this day and age.

What a life changing message for you and me to know and accept as we think about what it is that James is pointing out to us. What an important message it is for all of us to take to heart and live! Because none of us living today are perfect, we all have to be especially careful what we say and how we say it. The best place to protect what we say is to allow Christ’s Spirit come into our heart, to live in us, helping us to face every situation.

Prayer

O blessed Lord and God, thank You for allowing us to know when we are wrong and how we can in faith change our wrongs to rights. In our Savior’s name Jesus we pray. Amen.