5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
These verses talk about the evils that we create with our words. We cannot praise our Lord with the same tongue that we use to insult, bully, and speak down to others around us. When we speak with hatred, hatred spreads to other parts of our lives as well. People no longer trust us, no longer look up to us, and no longer follow us. However, if we purify our speech, the other aspects of our lives are purified as well.
This week, let us be challenged with controlling our tongue, letting it be a tool for praise rather than harm.
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