Saturday 19 Feb 2022

February 19: James 3:1-10

Key Verse: James 3:5
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Devotion:
Have you ever said the wrong thing and wondered why someone got so upset when you thought it was a simple mistake? We all make silly mistakes at times and sometimes we do not think of the effect that can have on them. There are times when we cannot help what we do because we have no choice; these may be seen just as bad as the things we have a choice in and we will feel bad about them too...

The apostle gives us a few things to think about in what he says – the point being a little thing in your life may be something big in someone else’s life so we should be thinking about what we say and do and how it may affect others. Words may seem small and insignificant to you, but the mindset of another person may take that as being life-changing in some way… so how do we avoid upsetting people?

God wants us to think about others before we do or say things to them. If we know them and we intentionally say something out of order, we are not just upsetting them but also God as He watches over us. We can control our pets or other animals through training and taming them, but when it comes to a friends tongue, nothing we do can tame what they may say; but God can change their hearts to tame their thoughts and hence their tongues.

But the tongue can be used for so many good things as well. We can use it to praise and worship our God. We can uplift and cheer our friends. We can recount God’s scripture to others. We can do so much more good; but one word can break it all down and ruin someone's life in a few seconds. Think before you gossip. Pray and worship more often!

Points to Ponder:
How do you thin you go with what you say to others?

How does God see what you say?