Meditate on these words
today:
 |
| The bit in this horse's mouth gives control to the rider. |
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 respectful and respected. 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!
Only
30 Days Until Christmas
© 2019 Text and photos
by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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