James 3:5-9
James writes about the tongue—that which can be a wondrous gift—that which can be as deadly as fire. He says, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.”
Our tongue can get us in trouble and does frequently. Let me explain through a story I heard some years ago. On Sept. 11, 1995, a squirrel climbed on the Metro-North Rail Road power lines near New York City. It set off an electrical surge which weakened an overhead bracket—which let the wire dangle toward the tracks—which got tangled in the train—which tore down all the remaining lines—and resulted in 47,000 commuters stuck in Manhattan for hours that evening!
As a small animal created havoc, so James teaches us that even a small tongue can cause lots of damage! He goes even so far as to say, “No one can tame the tongue.” I cannot even count the number of times I’ve said something, then immediately regretted it. It has not only caused suffering in another person but has put shame upon me. Even worse, I am sure I have frequently said a hurtful or unthoughtful thing and was not even aware of what damage I had done.
Yet, with this same tongue, I can tell someone “I love you!” I can lift a person who is stressed out, tell others of their goodness, ask forgiveness for a wrong I have done, and share the story of God as I have experienced God with a friend. With the tongue I can pray to God and praise God in word or song. What a wonderful gift the tongue truly is!
So, what role will your tongue play today and in the days ahead? As a child, my mother use to say, “Be sure to think before you speak!” That is good advice. It may save you from saying something you either do not intend, or something you may later regret, or something that was not helpful or uplifting.
The tongue is a gift from God! It has many uses. Let us use our tongues for good.
Prayer: God, forgive me for carelessly using my tongue in hurtful or lying ways. Help me to think before I speak. For now, O God, I will let my tongue speak a Word of praise to you. Amen.
Song: “Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak” ELW 676