Probably one of the most poignant chapters in the book of James is chapter 3. In this chapter, James declares: “…no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:8-10
How easily we fall into the trap…a few choice words when we are discontent with another person or mumbling to ourselves about someone else’s “stupidity”. Sometimes we just whisper the words in our mind or heart and justify our intentions by saying to ourselves, “I never said the words out loud.” And yet, Christ says, “…out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45b It all starts in the heart…so yes, it counts.
This is highly convicting. This matter of the tongue—blessings and curses coming from the same mouth—speaks to a very tenacious, lingering part of our sin nature. It is not only a part of our sin nature that fervently holds on but exposes a part of our heart that has yet to be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is an indicator of something inside that has not been reconciled to Christ—anger, unforgiveness, envy.
Today, if this resonates with you, ask God to reveal the root that is feeding this sin. Repent of it and let Him cleanse you of it with His forgiveness.
–Katie Botello
