This morning the message at church was just for me (or so it felt that way!). The Pastor taught out of James 3. The particular passage talks about “taming the tongue”.  The verse that really convicted me was…

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

How true this is for me! And I don’t walk around actually cursing at people…but how often I have wanted too…and yes I admit that. I’m not perfect. I don’t know how many times I have left church and get so mad at everybody driving. That might be a lame example, but it’s so true! Here I just left a worship service, and while on the way home I’m yelling at people because they aren’t driving how I think they should be. Or the lady at the check-out line is moving to slow. Or Taco Bell once again messed up my order. I know these things seem petty. But the passage reminded me, those people, just like me were made in the image of God. And how hypocritical it is of me to “curse” or belittle someone. I often hear people out in public and think, my gosh if they could just hear the way they are talking. It’s not often I stop and ask myself the same question. When I talk, what do other people hear? I really wrestled with that today!  The Pastor also said this and it just smacked me right between the eyes.

Expressions don’t define who you are…but your tongue does.

I’ve OFTEN been told I have the most hateful expressions and “death” stares…I honestly don’t have a clue what people are talking about…ha ha. I always laugh it off and blame my father for them. I really hope and pray that my tongue doesn’t reflect my expressions.
Just wanted to share my thoughts about the sermon this morning, it was definitely much needed for me!