I heard someone say once, “if you have to say – I really shouldn’t stay this. . . then, you really shouldn’t say it!”

Our mouths have a way of getting us in trouble, don’t they?  When I was a kid, most of the whoopings I got where for my smart mouth. I’d have something that I just had to say, that I knew I shouldn’t say, but I just couldn’t help myself.

So I’d say it. And I’d get in trouble.  Like I knew I was going to. But, I just couldn’t help myself!

We all find it hard to control our mouth. I’ve joked that as I’ve been in ministry longer, I’ve got callous in my tongue from learning to bite it when I wanted to say something I didn’t need to.

But, we can rejoice, that we aren’t the first folks to ever deal with this problem.  Listen to what James writes today in James 3:

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

James reminds us that many have tried to tame the tongue, but it is a restless evil.  It’s so hard to hold it. It’s so hard not to strike back out of anger. It’s so hard not to respond to a cruel word.  It’s so hard to not respond tit for tat.  We just don’t know if we can.

On our own, we can’t. Through our own strength, through our own might, through our own power, we won’t be able to.  We just can’t do it.

But, through the power of God, we can.  Through His strength we can.  All things are possible through Him.

So, today, when you want to say it, whatever it is, stop. Slow down. And pray.  Ask for strength.  Ask for control. Ask for guidance.

God has given us our tongue to praise Him.  Not to tear others down.

Today, how will you use it?  Will you use it for good?  Or for evil?  We have a great power and a great responsibility.  Through God’s grace, may we use it right.