Take a moment to read James 3:7-12 before reading the devotional below.
When I was learning how to drive, my mother repeated one phrase over and over (and it still comes to mind at times when I am driving even now): a car is a dangerous weapon. Today’s passage has a similar message: your tongue is a dangerous weapon. Let’s use the analogy of driving a car for a moment. Suppose you are a careful driver who is very aware of the dangers on the road and you faithfully go the speed limit. If this is central to your belief system about how a car should be handled, you are not likely to suddenly decide to drive 100mph on the highway just for kicks. You would see that as counter to your philosophies of driving and you would choose not to engage in this type of reckless behavior.
Your faith and your tongue have a similar relationship. If at the core of your beliefs you are aware that your tongue is a dangerous weapon, you will be very careful how you use it. In this case, our “speed limit” is God’s words about being slow to speak. When our faith is not fully integrated into our thoughts and behavior, we quickly forget this wisdom and our tongue speaks evil (at times even on the same day that we also use it to praise God). Understanding how and when to use your tongue is central to understanding how to follow Jesus.
You do not need to fear it (just as I do not fear driving my car). You need to respect its power. You need to respect the way your flesh can take over the words of your mouth. Practice periods of silence, both when you are alone and when you are with others. Take 24 hours to practice being slow to speak. Experience the freedom that comes with holding your tongue. Then, when you have a word to speak into someone’s life, it will penetrate their heart like a sword as the Holy Spirit uses your words to win a victory for you and for the other person.