Taming the Tongue—Two2Grow, June 22
Taming the Tongue—Two2Grow, June 22
By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. James 3:6 The Message
At the wall in a house of some elderly missionaries we often visited in Africa hung a framed print on yellowed, moisture-damaged paper:
“Christ is the Head of this house, the unseen Guest at every meal, and the silent Listener to every conversation.”
I particularly remember that last phrase, and it is a very good reminder for us today. I don’t think it would hurt if we had this on our walls today too.
Some might think that God doesn’t care how we talk to one another, but that is a serious mistake. Just read the rest of James chapter 3, and you will see how seriously God views our words.
As we walk with Jesus, one of the most important areas where we need to mature is how we speak. Just as a child’s age is revealed by their speech, the maturity of a follower of Jesus is often revealed by how they handle their tongue.
It is strange, but some people seem to get energy from complaining and speaking bitter words. But we need to discipline our tongue and not let anger, bitterness, hate, fear, complaining, or other toxic attitudes find a voice through us. Our words should be edifying and full of life.
This is especially important in our homes, where we tend to let our guard down and let ourselves go. We need to speak life and blessing over our loved ones, not words that hurt and tear down.
Take a moment and reread today’s Scripture in The Message paraphrase. It brings the point home, and I hope it motivates all of us to keep a tight rein on our tongue today.
Father, forgive me for every word I’ve spoken that didn’t glorify You. Help me today to discipline my tongue so that my words will bless those around me.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD
At the wall in a house of some elderly missionaries we often visited in Africa hung a framed print on yellowed, moisture-damaged paper:
“Christ is the Head of this house, the unseen Guest at every meal, and the silent Listener to every conversation.”
I particularly remember that last phrase, and it is a very good reminder for us today. I don’t think it would hurt if we had this on our walls today too.
Some might think that God doesn’t care how we talk to one another, but that is a serious mistake. Just read the rest of James chapter 3, and you will see how seriously God views our words.
As we walk with Jesus, one of the most important areas where we need to mature is how we speak. Just as a child’s age is revealed by their speech, the maturity of a follower of Jesus is often revealed by how they handle their tongue.
It is strange, but some people seem to get energy from complaining and speaking bitter words. But we need to discipline our tongue and not let anger, bitterness, hate, fear, complaining, or other toxic attitudes find a voice through us. Our words should be edifying and full of life.
This is especially important in our homes, where we tend to let our guard down and let ourselves go. We need to speak life and blessing over our loved ones, not words that hurt and tear down.
Take a moment and reread today’s Scripture in The Message paraphrase. It brings the point home, and I hope it motivates all of us to keep a tight rein on our tongue today.
Father, forgive me for every word I’ve spoken that didn’t glorify You. Help me today to discipline my tongue so that my words will bless those around me.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD