Day 190

Restraining the unbridled tongue 

Key Verses: 1, 8, 10, 16

Teachers, whether they are public school teachers or Bible teachers, have an awesome responsibility. James writes specifically about Bible teachers, saying that they will be judged for their teaching activities. Because we deal with eternity, we must be very careful what and how we teach. Our lives need to match our message to an even greater degree because other people are watching and modeling us. Teachers have an increased portion of the responsibility that we all carry. We are all responsible for what we say.

I am amazed at all the people who go to fitness centers and yet our society is getting more obese every day. Our advertising displays an anorexic image of who we think we want to be, and all the while we can’t control what we eat. And that lack of control is nothing compared to our inability to speak consistently in a way that honors the Lord. We snap at our spouse and kids. We demand and let our emotions run wild. It is easier to tame the wildfires in the West than our tongues.

James’ challenge to us is this: it is not possible to praise God with a mouth that is out of control! Our praise is contaminated by the words spoken at other times that reflect poorly on God’s character and our own. We need to let Christ have control of our tongue as well as our feet and hands. We must learn to control what we speak. The words we speak and the attitude conveyed mold generations to come.

When a leader has something other than the exaltation of Christ in their heart, the direction of their lives and the lives of those who follow them get off course. When we are in it for ourselves, God is not at work in what we do. He might use us, but it will be in spite of us. We will be vessels, but not ones of honor.

We are teachers to our children. We own them good lessons, both with our words and with our lives.

Today, monitor what and how you say things. Try to take an honest listen to your speech. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to light what you have hidden from your own ears and heart. Then, take the time to reflect and repent. Then seek His strength to make the needed changes. Self must die so that Christ can live.