Read

James 3:7-12

⁷People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. ¹⁰And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! ¹¹Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? ¹²Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty pool.

Reflect

The Top Ten Tips For Taming The Tongue
_{(from the Cuss Control Academy) (really!)}

10. Recognize that swearing does damage.

9. Start by eliminating casual swearing.

8. Think positively.

7. Practice being patient.

6. Cope, don’t cuss.

5. Stop complaining.

4. Use alternative words.

3. Make your point politely.

2. Think of what you should have said.

1. Work at it.

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By taming your tongue, you might not be able to change the whole world, but you can work to better your little corner of it. It is your duty to do so.

Respond

Why is it important that we learn how to tame our tongue?

How can we help others to control their tongues?

Think of a word that you need to eliminate from your vocabulary. Set a goal not to use that word at all today.

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