REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 12, 2013.  Young is a graduate of University of Illinois (BS), Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Westminster Theological Seminary (MA). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Taming the Tongues”

Proverbs 10:19, 21-27 

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.”

What, when, and how you say words matter!!! Be wise with your lips. You and I can cause a lot of pain or cause a lot of encouragement with the words we choose to say. Being wise with your words show our true maturity in Christ. Pray about it!!!

James 3:1-11

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 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. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

The words we speak can bless or it can destroy.  We underestimate the power of our tongue. If you have not paid much attention to this area, you might want to do so today.  There might be some repentance needed.  There might be some apologies you need to make.  To whom do you need to apologize?  How are you using your words?  Ask Jesus to make you more sensitive about this area and to give you strength to make your words a blessing!

Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom as I speak to those that make me impatient.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  2 Chronicles 34-35