With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:10-12
This morning I was using my daily reading plan provided by YouVersion – if you haven’t downloaded the application then you should. It’s available for the iPhone or Blackberry and is really cool! Thanks to the guys at LifeChurch.tv for providing it and promoting growth in Christ!
So, I am reading this morning in what is supposed to be James 1 (but there was a “mistake” in youversion and it sent me to chapter 3). After I finished reading, there was complete conviction. Not because I have a problem with cursing – that’s really not a vice for me! Mine comes in often saying the wrong thing, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, or just flat out saying some really dumb things. I used to chalk it up as joking, but then I realized that at times, I regret saying things that come out of my mouth. That leads to apologies and again the realization that I have a tongue problem.
Kim wrote it off that we all have areas to work on (glad that she wants to see the best in me!). And, at some level, she is right. However, this is an area that I am going to work on in 2009. I’m going to pray, read books and seek accountability. It’s definitely an area where I need God’s help, and I am going to pursue it with all that’s within me. Is there something that you need to work on in 2009?
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28
I am pretty good about holding my tongue except with the people closest to me. Why is it that we are so quick to react negatively to those that we love? Is it that we know they love us anyway so we can just go ahead and tear them down? Maybe it is that I truly care what they think and they just are thinking the way I want them to?
For 2009, I am going to work on making the people closest to me think the way I want them to!!!!!
I’m going to work on being less sarcastic. I never realized it, but I think that sarcasm is really just tearing somebody down in a sneaky way. This is going to be a hard habit to break, b/c I’ve done it so long and not realized how harsh it could be to others who might not realize that I’m being sarcastic.
It’s hard. I have to make it my focus – then I mess something else up
I guess God can just keep humbling me!