23rd February 2026
If we could
Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
James 3:2 (NLT)
What a wonderful thing communication can be, but as James mentioned here in chapter 3, the tongue can be a very wicked and uncontrolled thing. I would like to say that it must have been an issue then in the church, but let us be real, it is always an issue. If we could control what we said we would be perfect and only Jesus fits that description for me. We all make mistakes, and that is the warning, because it is so, we must do what we can to guard our tongue.
I do not think I am alone when I say I have made many mistakes, and said things I wish I could erase and take back. It is one of the reasons I prefer to write over speaking, I have the time to go over what I said and make sure it is correct and kind; but even then, I have made mistakes and been corrected. I have had to go vertical and talk to God about it and then horizontally to make amends. So, if I have offended you in any way I apologise to all.
The word ‘if’ applies to us all. We are all working towards the goal of perfection, but on our own it is just not possible. With the help of the Spirit of God, we are able to reign in that tongue more and more as time goes on. At times I choose not to say anything at all, and it may seem like I am not listening, but I am choosing to guard my tongue until I get advice from the Lord. It is wiser to slow down, weigh the facts, choose kindness over being right, or wrong in some cases. We are all on this journey of becoming that new person with the help of God.
James tells us, ‘If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with humility that comes from wisdom.’ It is God’s ways we are to be seeking, his will in things, his kindness and consideration, his wisdom and direction. So, when I asked God why he was directing me to this chapter of James; well, I am sure I needed it. This chapter came to mind over and over this week, and I wanted to pass it by, but the Spirit was persistent.
Many of the students in my daughter’s sixth grade class were trying to get all the work done that they had failed to do in a few short hours. A change of heart, an effort to correct what they failed to do, but it was too late to change that grade. The past cannot be changed, but she informed them, Monday was a fresh start, a clean bill, and they had the opportunity afresh to do the things they needed to do for success. Every day is a new day for us to do what is right, to control our tongues, to represent our God to his honour, and we have God with us to help us to make that change, to guard our steps, our speech. On our own it is not possible, but with God by our side we are helped by his wisdom and his compassion.
Prayer
Merciful and all loving God, we have been tripping over our speech since the Garden, and we need your help to not only control what we say, but to have the change of heart to not think it in the first place. I know you will complete your work for us, so I thank you for the reminders and the patience and the love. In Jesus we pray, Amen
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Study by: Anne Gillam About the author: |
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