JAMES DAY 25 - Tame the Tongue

DAY 25
TAME THE TONGUE
Psalm 51:1-2

There’s a grain of hope in James’s pessimism. 

First, when he says “no human being can tame the tongue,” he’s not telling us to be hopeless. He’s telling us to look for hope beyond ourselves. Second, by forcing us to look at the root of our words, he’s telling us to “change the root to change the fruit.” 

We have to treat the source to tame the tongue.

We need something from the outside to change us from the inside out. That’s the hope of the gospel! Remember, God made us to be with him. But our sins separate us from God. Sin cannot be removed by us. Like James says, we’re powerless to tame the tongue. But we have help and hope! Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again to save us. Everyone who trusts him has eternal life. Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever. 

When you and I trust Jesus Christ, he starts changing us from the inside out. Jesus treats the source to tame the tongue. His Holy Spirit moves in and purifies the spring of our heart where our words come from. The Spirit prompts us to ask: Why do I say that? Why do I respond that way? Where does that come from? Treat the source to tame the tongue.

This isn’t overnight change for most people. It’s deep, lifelong soul work. It’s spiritual formation. And it’s a work of grace. I’m deeply ashamed of what I sometimes say. Maybe you are, too. But God’s grace can forgive us and God’s grace can heal us. Trust Jesus Christ to treat the source to tame the tongue.

As we pray, open your heart to Christ. Ask him to expose your heart and to change your heart. 

REFLECT
Sit quietly in prayer for a few moments. Ask the Lord to examine your heart to expose anything you need to confess.

PRAY
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Amen.