James 3:1-12 Not
many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know
that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in
many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able
to keep their 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 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 3:8 (NIV) No
human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Sometimes our tempers get the best of us. We may even use
the verse quoted above to excuse our venting. Although we are helpless to tame
our tongues, God is not. Paul cautions, “In your anger do not sin” (Eph. 4:26),
which tells us that there are ways for us to handle anger without hurting other
people.
Though for today: Am I building a wall of resentment and if so
how do I address the issue?
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