Passage of the Day:
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water, James 3:1-12.
Reflection:
The title for today’s blog may insinuate that I’m urging readers to seek the gift of healing others. However, by using this passage from Jesus’ earthly brother, the healing I am writing about today is in the form of the words that you use. As a former teenager who was emotionally unstable, I could lift up an entire room with encouraging words before dragging everyone around me down with negativity. This is the power of words, a daily choice to either bless or curse others. The choice is yours.
Prayerful Action:
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, James 5:16.
Building Up Bible Believing Behavior:
If you have ever said the wrong thing at the wrong time, this mistake will cost you. Mending the fences with this individual or the people that you hurt won’t be easy. Yet, two chapters after warning first century Christians about the dangers of words, James provides a solution in the prayerful action. As you verbally confess your error, pray for this relationship and your own language so that God will heal your speech. Healing may not happen on your timetable, but God will bring about restoration in His time, Ecclesiastes 3:11.
Song of the Day:
As a child, I was taught “think before you speak.” However, listening and obeying are two different things. If the words you use tend to spew venom and poison, may today’s devotion serve as a turning point to bringing about healing and not pain.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 