September 13: Jeremiah 39-41; Psalm 60; James 3

The Letter of James is a letter that I have read and re-read.  And a lot of it has to do with the Third Chapter.  This Chapter convicts me.

With it [the tongue] we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.

Unfortunately, this is more true of me than I desire it to be.

Probably for most of us.

The same mouth and tongue that praises God and says my prayers, reads the Scriptures, prays the Psalms---that same tongue and mouth curses my fellow brothers and sisters.
It curses by:

• gossiping
• making assumptions about another
• talking about them without their input
• reliving my anger toward them only so that anger may grow
• complaining about another
• withholding words of forgiveness and mercy
• talking for them instead of to them
• making fun of or belittling them

Words can bring solace; words can bring pain.
Words can close wounds; words can slice wounds open.

We are a people of reconciliation.  The Letter to James reminds us that we must be mindful of the power that is wrought by our words.

Come, Holy Spirit, and give us the desire, and ability, to control our words so they may be used for unity instead of division.  Amen.