Talk, Talk, Talk, Talk

Your Words:

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
      Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell.
      All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
      Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Scriptures:

James 3:3-12

Defining Moments:

You didn't mean to say it. It just slipped out. Everybody knows how it feels when gossip engine is in full swing, when the camaraderie of shared complaints and put downs makes you say things you promised yourself not to-little tidbits you'd been told in confidence, jokes and jabs you toss out for public enjoyment though you'd never speak them right to someone's face. We all understand.
       But knowing that we all understand doesn't make it right. And working harder to bite your lip next time only provides temporary relief. Jesus said that " out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" ( Matthew 12:34)- that if we want our words ( or our silence) to be pure and pleasing, we must change our attitudes to match.
     So....want to withstand the urge to sling the next insult? Then try loving the person who irritates you. Want to never make another idle remark at another person's expense? Then pray for God to help you want the best for your grouchy neighbor. Kind words come from clean hearts.

Next Up:

Being new to something like the Christian life can make you feel outclassed by those who do it well. But we're not racing eachother. We're racing ourselves.

Quote:

" Let your words be few, lest you say with your tongue what you will afterward repent with your heart." -George MacDonald