Read James 3 – again, read it. I just timed it and it took just 2 minutes plus 21 seconds to read, so please don’t say you don’t have time. And if your bible is not close, just put it in the search engine: James 3, and there you have it. Let a verse speak to your heart before being influenced by anything I have to say.
The chapter title in my bible says: Taming the Tongue. The very first verse is one I am very cautious of when writing these blogs. I am not here to teach, but to encourage. I am not called to teach, but to learn… and happy (honored! grateful! blessed!) to share this journey with you.
James speaks about the tongue for :12 verses. Did it grab your attention more than if he would have said, “speak kindly,” or something gentle like that? There was nothing gentle about :8, “but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” This kind of conviction saves us from glossing over these words. Remember, this is for you, not your spouse or your kids, or your boss, or your passengers (in my case). James calls us to get our own selves in order. He wants us to see what Jesus sees with clear eyes because only then can we bring it to the cross.
Verses :13-18 What kind of wisdom resonates with you? If you recognize it as the one led by selfish ambition, pray about that. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are and he loves you too much to leave you that way!