February 18 Daily Devotional

Scripture for Day 49—James 3:1–2

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.

Devotional:

Most importantly, notice how God underscores your own need of Jesus Christ. You see, you must tame your tongue. "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless" (1:26). The problem is that you do not and cannot tame your tongue. "If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man ..." (3:2). "No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (3:8).

Therefore, first, you need Christ's forgiving grace. And second, you need his enabling grace.

"Be of sin the double cure—
cleanse me from its guilt and pow'r." (Augustus M. Toplady)

And grace is exactly what our Lord abundantly gives. It's striking to consider how he especially gives his forgiving and enabling grace. He forgives and cleanses our guilty words especially through his Word. Rather than condemning us who flee to him, his perfect tongue saves our wayward tongues.

Click here for background on the author of Are You For Real?: Meditations in the Epistle of James for Secret or Family Worship.