Daily Companion  | 31 July

THE SINS OF THE TONGUE

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. - James 1:26

Much can be said of a person's character by the way he uses his tongue. Christ said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). The tongue has been described as "a fire, a world of iniquity", and a "deadly poison." 

The tongue may sin by lying. A lying tongue speaks falsehood, bears false witness and denies the truth. It can be used to harm others near at hand (a maul), a few feet away (a sword), or a great distance away (an arrow). Satan serves as the father of all liars (John 8:44), and a lying tongue is one of the seven things that God hates (Proverbs 6:16-17). All liars will have their part in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). 

Secondly, flattery which is akin to exaggeration is also a sin of the tongue. The Bible speaks of flattery as a characteristic of the wicked, not the righteous. Imagine the improvements which could be made in our society if only flattery will be done away with. Flattery is a form of lying and has no place in the life of a true Christian. 

The ones with the sins of the tongues would say 'our lips are our own' but they care less whose ox is gored. They don't care whose life is ruined by their words. David (a victim of a misused tongue) prayed that "may the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things (Psalms 12:3). The most probably annoying people in the world are those with proud tongues because a proud tongue usually comes with two closed ears! Proud tongued people are generally so full of themselves that they learn so little from anyone. A proud-tongued Christian will talk much of his knowledge and accomplishments, but little about the Lord. It is also sad that a proud-tongued Christian is hard to teach or reason with. He thinks he knows or has everything! What shall we say of the cursing tongues, and of the backbiting tongues? 

But dear friend, a truthful tongue is the delight of the Lord. God honours the words of a honest tongue. You must be sincere in all manners of conversation. Own up to your action, deny not the truth. Speak the truth at all time. Speak with wisdom. Speak blessings. Watch your tongue. Tame it when provoked. Bridle it when your are before others. 

Today’s Recite:  "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." - James 3:2

Today’s Morning Prayers: Heavenly Father, I ask that You forgive me all the sins of the tongue. Sanctify my tongue this day. Sanctify my heart. Purify it to speak only gracious and wise things now and forever in Jesus name. Amen!

Today’s Hymn: WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS

Today’s ReadMe:  Isaiah 53 - 56