That Tongue

its a problem

Scripture Reading: James 3:1-12

Let me count the ways…

Lying

Gossiping

Slander

Cursing

Murmuring

Complaining

Seducing

Backbiting

Defaming

Criticizing

We could go on, but you get the idea. There is a multitude of ways we can sin with our tongues. We open our mouths and, like Pandora’s Box, a host of evils flies forth.

James says no one can tame their tongue.

So, what are we to do? While we can’t, God can. We need God’s grace and help with our tongues.

Thomas Becon prayed a helpful prayer we could adopt as our own.

We ask you, for your mercies’ sake, O most merciful God, to deliver us from unrighteous lips and from deceitful tongues, and to give us grace so to walk in all our conversation and living, that our adversaries may be ashamed to slander and to speak evil of us. Grant also, that they, which hitherto have abused their tongues by backbiting, slandering, and defaming, may from now on speak with new tongues, praise you and your blessed name, talk of your Holy Scriptures, meditate in them day and night, bless their Christian brethren, and speak well of all men, yes, of their very enemies, that so many of us as praise your holy name may with one mind and with one mouth glorify you our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord.