FRIDAY January 10, 2020
Taming the Tongue
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:6-8
James seriously warned us that the tongue can be set on fire by hell itself! Imagine that! Creatures can be tamed. If you have ever visited Sea World, and even the famous Circus Vargas, you would get the idea. Yet look at our human nature; on our own, we cannot tame the tongue! When we speak, we can grieve people, or we can love people and turn them to Christ.
Think on these Scriptures concerning the tongue, and write in a journal how the Lord ministered to you:
Proverbs 11:13: A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
Proverbs 16:24: Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 18:6-7: A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows . . . and his lips are the snare to his soul.
Psalm 141:3: Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 15:1: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
God transforms our lives, and He can transform the way we speak. Ask Him to help you tame your tongue!
A tongue that is set on fire from hell shall be set on fire in hell.
~Thomas Manton~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!