Hello Advent Family,

 

Have you ever really put your foot in your mouth? Maybe you said something without thinking and immediately regretted it. Maybe you have hurt someone that you really care about with your words in the heat of the moment. Words are powerful and yet often we use them carelessly. James speaks to this in chapter 3 of his letter. Let’s look at it together today.

 

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

 

James reminds us of the critical importance of how we use our tongues. While we often use our words to praise God and to encourage and build each other up we can also use them carelessly and tear others down. When we stop and think about the power of words in our lives it makes us be more intentional about how we use them. Think about the times when others have truly used their words to build you up and show you love. I’m sure you can also easily remember words that have hurt. Make it a practice to seek to use your words to build up someone today. You may be surprised at how significant that can be in someone’s life.

 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave