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TAMING THE TONGUE

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: THURSDAY, 15TH JUNE, 2023 

TOPIC: TAMING THE TONGUE

TEXT:JAMES 3:1-18

1. My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
2. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he [is] a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
4. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
5.  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
6.  And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
7.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
8.  But no man can tame the tongue. [It is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9.  With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
10.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
11.  Does a spring send forth fresh [water] and bitter from the same opening?
12.  Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
13.  Who [is] wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct [that] his works [are done] in the meekness of wisdom.
14.  But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15.  This wisdom does not descend from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, demonic.
16.  For where envy and self-seeking [exist,] confusion and every evil thing [are] there.
17.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

MESSAGE: 
In this chapter, we notice James becoming more specific about how the Christian's faith can be put in practical terms. If God has changed your heart through the new birth, the saving faith that He granted to you will inevitably show itself in a life of good deeds, but now, more specifically in the words you speak. Genuine faith yields to Christ's Lordship over the tongue. Like David prayed in Psalms 141:3, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” The tongue is one of the major battlegrounds of the Christian. Mastery of the tongue is a sign of wisdom, for the less one speaks, the fewer serious errors one will make. We need to master our tongues so that they can be used for blessing, not cursing.
As Christians, we need to take extra precaution when speaking. Our words should always be gracious, and seasoned with salt in order to bring forth blessing, rather than destructive words that bring division (Col. 4:6). The Holy Spirit has been sent into our hearts to guide our thoughts and words. Learn to daily fight this battle over the tongue and God will give you victory daily.

PRAYER:  
Spirit divine, anoint my tongue that I may speak words that will glorify Your Holy name, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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