“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man 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 men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3: 6-10).

This verse hits me every time.  When I’m exasperated, I can justify snapping and jabbing.  When I’m overwhelmed, complaining seems the only way to release my stress.  And when I’m angered, venting seems the furthest thing from gossip.  Yet I turn around and seek God’s will in the situation, knowing full well that I’m not speaking in line with His will in the first place.

Of course God’s mercy is big enough for my foul tongue, but I wonder what the fall out from my words are that He spares me from seeing.   I wonder how tarnished my praise is when it comes off the tails of frustrated words about someone who irritated me.  I want my praise to be pure!  I want God to know how fully magnificent I think He is and not have my worship be clouded by unconfessed sins of the tongue.

Especially during wedding planning, I was stressed.  Taming my tongue was not the primary objective when I was shopping for vendors or whittling down a guest list or vying for extra dollars in the budget.  How do you manage your speech when you are stressed, focused, or busy?  Is your wedding planning a vehicle for unconfessed sins of the tongue?

Lord, You know the words on my tongue before they ever leave my mouth.  Forgive me, Lord, for many are shameful.  Muzzle me when my words are sinful, and embolden me when I lack the courage to speak on Your behalf.  Keep my tongue pure so that Your name would be glorified in all of my conversations.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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