The Tongue

Howdy from Jaclyn in Aggieland!

It has been very busy around here, which has led to no time or inspiration to write. I don't think this post will be long.

I used to have a very big problem with controlling my tongue. There were many times that I felt like what I really needed to do was fast from speaking - which I never did... It would be practically impossible... Which is maybe why it should be done...

I haven't felt that way in a long time... Until today....

For some reason, today, my mouth just spewed things that I wished I could just shove back... But that is the thing about the tongue. You can't take back what you have already said. The tongue can be sweet like honey one moment, and the next, it can cut you like a knife.

My tummy still feels sick from some of the things that I said today...

Ugly words escaped my mouth in abundance. Exasperation fled my mind in the form of angry, frustrated statements with people around who shouldn't have heard it. Things that can negatively color perceptions against good people were said.

From James 3:

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 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.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. 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. 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.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Tonight, I pray that God will tame my tongue, since it is not something I can tame myself. That I will be forgiven for the harsh things I spoke today (and in the days past and to come). That instead my tongue will be used for building up, praising, leading, obeying...

Please tell me I am not the only one who wishes her tongue would just shut up!

Thanks and Gig 'Em!