[Devoted1]

"Taming The Monster"
By Zach Wood
James 3:9-10
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.


I try. I fail. I try. I succeed.

Do those words describe your attempt, many times, in taming your tongue? Do you feel like it is an uphill battles many days trying to control what words come from your lips? Do you constantly struggle with saying things that come out before you even think about them? If you answer these questions with a "Yes", you are not alone. Do not think for one moment you are alone at all. I struggle just as well. Many others do as well. Each of us struggles with trying to control our tongue each and every day.


Lord, forgive me when I say things I do not mean to say to my children.

Lord, forgive me when I say things I do not mean and hurt my spouse.

Lord, forgive me when I let things come out at a co-worker out of anger built-up inside from something else.

Lord, forgive me when unwholesome talk comes from my lips and my children hear it for the first time.

Lord, forgive me when I praise one moment, but say something vile the next.


Do any of these prayers relate to your life? Do you realize the struggle James is talking about in this passage? I heard a saying one time and I have never forgotten it......"The tongue weighs practically nothing, yet so few can hold it". What a powerful statement! And it is very true!

We are followers of God, but we are also imperfect. No matter how closely we strive to follow Him, there are times when we will say things we do not mean and we will hurt those around us we love so dearly. That is when we pray to God for forgiveness and ask Him to make us stronger. We must also ask for forgiveness from those whom we have hurt as well.

I wrote a devotional not too long ago regarding keeping a tight rein on our tongues. I feel led to help encourage you and I more in writing this one to always be mindful and consider how our words affect others. Taming the tongue is hard to do, but it is possible only with the Lord's help.
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