Let’s be truthful here. A lot of our problems could be avoided or solved if we would learn to control our tongue. Ouch. Ok, I said it. But, don’t shoot the messenger. It was actually James who said it first.
Could you imagine a world with no complaining, no attitude, no hurt from others, no lying, grumbling, or destructive communication, etc. God’s word actually tells us that the tongue is pretty powerful and reflects who we are as a believer.
James 1:26 says, “if a person thinks he is religious, but does not keep his tongue from speaking bad things, he is fooling himself. His religion is worth nothing” (NLV).
We understand that the tongue is a small part of our whole body (3:5), but is can have a lot of power and can cause a lot of destruction, to those who surround us and to the Kingdom of God, if we are not careful.
From James chapter 3 we understand that we must learn to control our mouth (our tongue) and not let it bring harm to the Kingdom of God, our testimony, and to our witness.
The Bible teaches us how important it is to keep our tongue in check, to ensure that everything that proceeds out of our mouth brings glory to our Heavenly Father, and works to benefit His Kingdom. If our words do not do this, we need to re-evaluate what we feel like we want to say, and think before we speak.
Training ourselves to think before we speak, would lead to the Holy Spirit being able to move more freely in our lives, and a true and genuine reflection of Christ in our lives.
“If a person thinks he is religious, but does not keep his tongue from speaking bad things, he is fooling himself. His religion is worth nothing” James 1:26 NLV
Begin today, and ask the Lord to guide you in taming your tongue. Pray that your conversations starting today would be pleasing to the Lord.
Let’s grow in Christ together.
Blessings,
Pastor Jonathan Pannell
Rev. Jonathan W. Pannell III 