Tamed Tongues
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
James 3:5b–12
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Tamed Tongues
For such a small muscle the tongue is capable of astounding things. A single word can bring joy and peace to those suffering and in pain. A single word can also crush an individual and destroy that same joy and peace. We are called as Christians to always speak in love towards one another. All people are created in the image of our God and deserve the respect and dignity as such. Yet from our sinful mouths too often comes curses as opposed to blessings. As new creations born again in the water and Word of Holy Baptism, we are called to a higher purpose. The Holy Spirit has called us out of the darkness of sin into the light of Christ and we are to reflect this in our speech. God’s Word warns us against trying to serve two masters (Matthew 6:24) and here again, we are reminded of this. No more can a spring flow forth both salt and fresh water can a Christian praise God yet curse God’s children. We are to lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving towards God for the gift of Salvation through Christ Jesus, not utter words of hate and malice towards those whom Christ died for. And in doing so we honor God and each other for Christ’s sake who conquered death so that we might live.
James 3:5b–12
+
Tamed Tongues
For such a small muscle the tongue is capable of astounding things. A single word can bring joy and peace to those suffering and in pain. A single word can also crush an individual and destroy that same joy and peace. We are called as Christians to always speak in love towards one another. All people are created in the image of our God and deserve the respect and dignity as such. Yet from our sinful mouths too often comes curses as opposed to blessings. As new creations born again in the water and Word of Holy Baptism, we are called to a higher purpose. The Holy Spirit has called us out of the darkness of sin into the light of Christ and we are to reflect this in our speech. God’s Word warns us against trying to serve two masters (Matthew 6:24) and here again, we are reminded of this. No more can a spring flow forth both salt and fresh water can a Christian praise God yet curse God’s children. We are to lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving towards God for the gift of Salvation through Christ Jesus, not utter words of hate and malice towards those whom Christ died for. And in doing so we honor God and each other for Christ’s sake who conquered death so that we might live.
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