Saturday, November 23, 2024 - WATCH YOUR WORDS

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Saturday, November 23, 2024 - Day 327 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 24-26; James 3)

WATCH YOUR WORDS 

“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell... but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”  (James 3:5-10 ESV)

We love in a day when people seem to feel free to say anything they wish about another person regardless of whether their words are truthful or not. Defaming one another and cursing one another seems to be far too common. Have there ever been times when you could not believe what came out of your mouth? James is telling us that our words are too often not pleasing to God. Wishing others God’s blessings is surely God-pleasing. But too often, we do just the opposite.

Thank God that Jesus came to pay for all of our sins, including the sin of unholy talk and untamed tongues. And thank God for the example of Jesus. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23 ESV)

 

1. O God, my faithful God,

   True fountain ever flowing,

   Without whom nothing is,

   All perfect gifts bestowing:

   Give me a healthy frame,

   And may I have within

   A conscience free from blame,

   A soul unstained by sin.

3. Keep me from saying words

   That later need recalling;

   Guard me lest idle speech

   May from my lips be falling;

   But when within my place

   I must and ought to speak,

   Then to my words give grace

   Lest I offend the weak.

   (Lutheran Service Book #696)

Lord Jesus, please help me to follow Your lead and keep my mouth shut when my silence would be golden. At the same time, I ask You to give me the courage to open my mouth when I have the opportunity to share You with others. Amen. 

“See” you in church tomorrow morning!

Pastor David Paape