THE TONGUE
"But the tongue can no man tame; It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison".
(James 3:80)
It is a common practice of all. Everybody is usually desperate to say something. The yearning of each individual is, "It is my turn to talk". Always a free for all affairs, human beings are often given to talk, talk, talk and talk. And so, the burden seems lightened after the talking, anytime, anywhere, anyhow and to anybody. But you should do better today than just to talk. You should control your tongue for "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin..." (Proverbs 10:19).
The scriptures have given the tongue appropriate labels. It is called "a little member", "a fire", "a world of iniquity", "an unruly evil", "full of deadly poison" (James 3:5-6,8). Horses obey the masters' directions through bits; great ships, though driven of fierce winds, are turned about with a very small helm; wild beasts and dangerous snakes have been tamed of mankind; but the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. And "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (proverbs 18:21).
It is very amazing to know that life also is in the power of the tongue. This life we keep when we keep our mouth (Proverbs 13:3). We do ourselves good as we learn to be quiet. We learn a lot when we listen to others. We profit our spiritual and social life more when we speak only when it is necessary. Learn to talk when you have something good to offer. Learn to talk more to God and less to man.
Challenge: Too much talking makes man leak, talk-less.
Prayer: Dear Lord, grant me the grace to hold my tongue.