Dear brothers and sisters,
not many of you should become
teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed,
we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be
perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a
large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a
small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even
though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that
makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the
tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your
entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell
itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no
one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who
have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring
out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! James 3:1-10
My tongue often gets me into trouble. I speak
without thinking, voicing my opinion—maybe finishing others sentences without
regard to what they're really meaning. Oops. Actually rude. Are my thoughts any
more important or pertinent than others? Certainly not more creative, original
or righteous than others. How does one "tame" their tongue? In the
past I've struggled with some cussing. I grew up on a farm and had a friend who
cussed like an old ranch hand--what a horrible habit for me to pick-up. At any
rate it was still a struggle after I became a Christian and then I learned the
concept of "renewing my mind." It wasn't just my tongue than needed
to be controlled--my mind needed to be renewed--sort of like rebooting your
computer. God was gracious--and did just that for me.
Don't use foul or
abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your
words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29.
Therefore I urge
you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy
sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of
worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that
which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 NASB
This verse in the NLT says...Don't copy the behavior
of this world.
Let your mind be transformed.
Be like those transformer cars or even like ancient statues that reveal a
different form or character. The mind controls the body...and with God's
help...the heart will be respected...and respectful. That could lead to a
controlled tongue, and that is a beautiful thing—worthy of God's
attention.
Prayer - Lord - give me grace to speak
kindly to others...and to love them as I love myself. Tame my tongue. Transform
my heart and my mind to be pleasing to you.
Daily Bible Reading: Galatians
4-6
Happy
Birthday Andrew!
© 2018 Text and
Photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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