JAMES 3:1-12, 18
Harry Truman, a former president of the United States, is known to have had a rule that any letters written in anger had to stay on his desk for 24 hours before they could be mailed. He would only send the letter if, after that “cooling off” period, he continued to feel the same way. By the end of his life, a large desk drawer was packed with unsent letters.
How often will even 24 minutes of wise restraint save us from shame in this age of instant communication? James addressed a recurring issue in human history when he wrote on the harm that an unbridled tongue may do. Man cannot control his tongue. It is a wild evil that is loaded with lethal venom (James 3:8).
Speaking in an angry or mean spirited manner puts us outside the boundaries of what God wants. We should refrain from speaking, writing, or even typing more often while giving thanks to God for the restraint He grants. All too frequently, when we talk, we bring attention to the fact that we are imperfect people.
We might not need to do anything more than control our tongues to surprise and delight others with the difference Christ makes. When we glorify God with our words – or silence – others cannot but notice.
We protect ourselves and other people from problems when we control our mouths and tongues.
🙏🏼Lord, help us to use our words to serve You and Your kingdom, not to harm others or enhance our own reputation.
