The book of James has a lot to say about the malady called Foot in Mouth Disease.  It starts with the most powerful muscle in the body – the tongue.  We can become so oblivious to the effects of that tiny muscle, that it’s often too late to retract what has spewed out.

When our children learn about social behavior, we teach them to be kind with their words – to say please and thank you.  As they interact with children in school they may think it’s OK to make fun of their friends, without realizing they are scarring someone for life.  When they become teens, words are spread across the internet and once again can never be recaptured.

In the workplace and as we begin families, our words can crush a fellow employee or a spouse.  As we age – words of hopelessness and talk of death enter the conversation and we begin to feel there’s no hope for us.  At the same time words can encourage, restore, and give hope.

So how do you tame the tongue?  By ourselves there’s nothing we can do to control our words other than to ask for forgiveness from the victim of our spite and even then, the words still remain.  Only God is capable of forgiving and forgetting.

James tells us to turn away from the things of this world and focus on Him – easier said than done  especially when this is where we have to spend our lives.  But God has promised that He will be with us in all circumstances – even the ugliness of a sin filled world.

Remember always to put God first  – honor Him, trust Him, obey Him and thank Him – allow Him to work in you.  Ask Him to use you to spread His words.