February 23 Daily Devotional

Scripture for Day 54—James 3:1–12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ⁶ 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. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Devotional:

God pointedly addresses our need for bridled tongues in the book of Proverbs. Consider the following. Read them aloud several times and prayerfully reflect on them. Memorize the one that most strikes you.

Proverbs 6:16–19

¹⁶ There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
¹⁷ haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
¹⁹ a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 12:17-23

¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
²¹ No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
²² Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
²³ A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Proverbs 15:1-4

¹ A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 15:7–8

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

Proverbs 15:28

²⁸ The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Proverbs 16:27–28

²⁷ A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
²⁸ A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 21:23

²³ Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

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