Day 59 - James

You ever say something you regretted?  Have you ever harmed a relationship because of a callous word?  I have been guilty of having a big mouth from time to time, and it's amazing how you can ruin a relationship with one senseless phrase.  The book of James warns about our words and language:

2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.



3 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 person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.


7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man 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 men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

So, what does this mean about our posts on Facebook?  What does this say about text messages?  Those are some examples of modern-day language, and they're not exempt from this directive.  If we want to be the kinds of people we were created to be, we are called to get a handle on what we say...and what we type.


Basically, the Scriptures say that our lives will dictated in large part by how we speak to people or about people.  Moreover, it can derail the life God has planned for us.  Salt and fresh water don't flow from the same spring.  God wold desire our language and words to be uplifiting and encouraging.  We can't speak blessings and curses with the same mouth.  This is especially important for leaders.  Whether your a parent, pastor, boss, teacher or coach, what we say to those we lead has a profound impact on them, especially hurtful and negative words.