Right!

Daily Reading: James 3-4

Scripture Focus:…but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. (James 3:8-10a)

Devotional Thought: We all know that it is sometimes hard to keep quiet when we have an opinion. But you never have that problem, right? Right! In today's divisive climate, everyone is completely convinced of his or her own rightness and doesn't really want to hear the other side of the argument. But not you, right? Right! People don't want to hear about their faulty logic or their own moral deficiency. But not you, right? Right!

I have found that people usually are just as certain that they are right as I am certain that I am right! Arguments can become heated and unproductive, as both I and the other party get frustrated and defensive. It is in those moments of frustration and defensiveness that the debate is lost. When you lose control of your tongue, I would argue that you also lose that argument, and you do damage to the kingdom of God. God has called us to be a blessing, and not a curse. We are royal priests, sharing the light of the gospel with the world. Instead, we come across as prosecutors.

James knew that there is an answer. Though we are unable to control our tongues with our own power (v8), The Spirit will help us to know when to speak and when to remain silent. In today’s culture, we should prayerfully consider the things that we “share” with our friends and acquaintances. Will speaking out result in encouragement, or in the building up of others? Will it bring glory to God and honor to the Church? Can the truth be spoken in love? If not, chances are we should hold our tongues. Right? Right!

-Jenny

Prayer: Lord, we know that apart from you, our tongues are destructive, working against your kingdom purposes. Please fill us with wisdom and compassion as we engage with a world that is angry and lost. Give us words of love and encouragement that do not divide, but rather point others to you.

Psalm of the Day: 1 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. 3 Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress. 4 For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together. 5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. 6 Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. 7 By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah (Psalms 48:1-8)