“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
“Just shut up”. Yeah, my kids were not allowed to say that either. It is a bit abrupt but it does kind of summarize this verse. It’s for your own good. Words you say can cause calamity in your life and others. I don’t need to dwell on that. I’m confident we all have plenty of examples of that happening to us or because of us. I’ve had some very mean things said about me over the years. A few cost me friends for a season. I’ve also said things that cost me relationships that have been very painful and difficult to restore. James, Jesus little brother, makes pretty strong statements about the destructive as well as the healing powers of the tongue. If this devotion feels a bit redundant that’s because it is. Solomon talks often about words and the tongue. It shows how powerful an asset or menace it can be. Peter once commented about how he would continue to remind the early church of the basic truths of the faith until he was gone so they would not forget them. I think that was Solomon’s goal as well. Therefore there will be a bit of repetition about basic yet critical truths in these devotions as well. Today watch your mouth. #BeTheEdge
“but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8 NIV
