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Word4Today Daily Bible Devotional

by Bob and Debby Gass

‘If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.’ James 3:2 NLT

When it comes to your tongue, here are 3 rules:

(1) Don’t speak too quickly. ‘We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we… could also control ourselves in every other way.’ You can never be totally aware of all the sensitivities of a person, so you must rely on the Holy Spirit to direct your speech in a way that doesn’t trigger their pain. Everybody has a different sensitivity level, depending on their negative past experiences. That includes you too. So practise not being easily offended, and giving others the benefit of the doubt when they say something that could be misunderstood as offensive.

(2) Don’t respond too quickly. ‘To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.’ (Proverbs 18:13 NIV) Before you speak, listen carefully and make sure you understand what is really being said. And if you don’t—say so. Your need to ‘look good’ can cause you to lose respect in the eyes of the person you’re seeking to impress.

(3) Don’t commit too quickly. Solomon writes, ‘Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.’ (Ecclesiastes 5:2 NKJV)

Then he goes on to explain how we shouldn’t try to drop out of a commitment by saying we made a mistake. Your word is your bond, and when you break a promise, you hurt people and forfeit their trust. So pause before you speak, and if need be, take time to pray. Your time and your words are two things that can never be taken back, so carefully weigh what you say.

SoulFood: Jer 28–30, Matt 24:15–25, Ps 102:18–28, Pro 15:4–7

word4today an adaptation of The Word For Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2024

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