March 1, 2002
Untamed Tongues
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. James 3:7-12 (NIV)
If no man can tame the tongue, then what hope do we have? If we praise the Lord one minute and then quarrel the next, what hope is there? We, as believers in Jesus, should not both praise and curse from the same mouth. However, we all do at least to one degree or another, so what hope do we have? Jesus, not man, can tame the tongue. Jesus gave to man dominion over all things on the earth, in the water and under the earth. However, only the Lord himself can tame the tongue.
Now, how do we go about letting him tame out tongues? First, we must come to understand that we are powerless to change it on our own. We must be willing to let him change the words and the tone that come from out mouths. Next, we must let him remove all bitterness from out hearts (Hebrews 12:15). Our tongues will reflect the bitterness that is within our hearts. We must let the Lord rid us of malice, anger, and such things (Ephesians 4:31). In other words, the change must come, not in those around us, but in us. People, places, and circumstances do not determine how a believer acts, rather Jesus and our submission to him determines how we act. Look at Jesus. When he stood before his accusers, he did not open his mouth. He could have. In fact, had he opened his mouth, he would have been found not guilty of the charges. However, he held his tongue and did not speak.
So, when those around us accuse us should we answer in anger and rage? No, we should allow the Lord to give us his strength to hold our tongues. Sure, we can speak, as long as it is in love and not in anger. Sure, at times, we are to defend ourselves, but it should be done in a right manner and not in a manner that brings harm to another. Since the words of the mouth reflect what is in a man’s heart, the heart must be clean in order for his words to be clean. Let the Lord cleanse your heart, that your mouth be made clean and your speech be ordered according to his word. Meditate upon his word, on those things which are noble and pure and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). Learn to look for the good in those around you, for we are all created in the likeness of God. Today, let the Lord begin to cleanse you from the inside out, that your tongue bring him glory and honor in all that you say.
Father, if there is any bitterness, anger, malice, rage or any such thing within me, this day remove it in Jesus name and for the sake of his name. Lord, lead me to the right way to speak. Father, in Jesus name, cleanse me from the inside out that my tongue bring you glory and honor in all things, amen.
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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