Motivate Me Monday

Ah, it's Monday again! The day that the daily grind begins again. I have a load of laundry going, I've completed my devotions, my coffee is getting cooler as the minutes tick by, and my list of things to do today seems to be growing every time I look at it.

But, Mondays are also a day where I can look back on last week and reflect.

I have been working through the book of James. In order to really take in the message of the book, I have chosen to read it one section at a time. I knew I was in for a doozy last week when the section was titled, "Taming the Tongue". I try, really hard, to think before I speak. But, nevertheless, I seem to let the words come flying out of my mouth like vomit (word vomit)! It's like I've lost control of my body and can't stop them. But, I can, and I need to. Words can be uplifting and encouraging, but the same mouth can produce words that are devastating and can destroy someone.

So, this comes directly from my journal. I will bare it all for you....


12-4-08
James 3:1-12
Taming the Tongue

6 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.

Wow! What an incredible visual! Can you imagine if your whole body erupted into flames when your mouth opened? My tongue is capable of corrupting my entire body. How sad that my course in life is determined by the words that I so freely express without thinking.

8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

This is a disturbing image to me. If I can't tame my tongue, then what can I do? Supposedly there is some encouragement in these two scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:5
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

James 1:19
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

Ah, so there is hope! I need to work on my though life, and think before I speak.

I'm definitely coming back to this tomorrow...

12-5-08
James 3:1-12
Taming the Tongue - day 2

I decided that there was so much in this passage, so I figured that I should probably devote another day to this matter...at least...

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

Ouch! I am completely and totally guilty of this. Even yesterday, I got into a discussion about a director at church. I know, yesterday I look at how the tongue can't be tamed, but I also learned what I can do to prevent myself from getting into this exact predicament, and look what I did. I know what I need to do. I really need to pray about my words, and ask for help with my thoughts, and really, REALLY work hard at thinking all the way through my words before expressing them out loud. What will the ramifications be? Who will I be hurting? Every time I say hurtful things about others, I am not just hurting that person, I am also hurting my Lord.

12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

I can't be both encouraging and devastating.


I am still working on this. It is hard not to get sucked into the world of gossip, but it is extremely dangerous! God really revealed to me that if I am going to minister to others, that I better get my heart and my MOUTH in shape. If you are struggling with your tongue, I can guarantee you that you are not alone, but you must recognize this sin, repent of it, and realize that this could be a daily struggle, BUT you can do it!

I know - not motivating, but this is definitely what God laid on my heart last week. For more MOTIVATING posts, head over to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee!