December 28th, 2025
Scripture “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
James 3:9-12 NIV
Observation – People use their tongue to praise God and bash other people. God doesn’t like this and tells us to stop.
Application – The vast majority of the time people gossip or tear down others is because they are trying to make themselves look superior. One might say, “can you believe Dave goes on vacation four times a year”. The implication is Dave is lazy and wastes his money but you work hard and are responsible, you probably give that money to the church, while Dave is irresponsible, probably self-indulgent, bordering on hedonism. But not you! Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. This is a matter of the heart. Ask God to heal you and give you a new heart and a new spirit.
Prayer – Lord Jesus, forgive us for cursing our brothers, this should not be. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 