November 23
________________________________________
UNTAMABLE TONGUE
A poem by ILMA
We all make many mistakes and we have no control over our tongues
For if we could govern it, we would be perfect and we will manage our lives well
We can make a large horse go wherever we want with a small bit in its mouth
A small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go
Even through strong winds in the storm, he guides it’s direction.
In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches
But like a tiny spark, it can say something and can set a great forest on fire
Among all the parts of the body, the tongue is like a flame
It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting our entire body
It can set our whole lives on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish,
But no one can tame the tongue; It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison
Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses others
And so, blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth
Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. – James 3:7-8
Read: James 3:1-12
The book of James reminds us of the uncontrollable tongue. It likens the tongue to a great forest on fire that can only be started even by a tiny spark. What comes out of our mouths is the one that defiles us and not what we put in it. We can only control it if the Holy Spirit live in us and we surrender our mouths to Him.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can we teach ourselves to control our mouth?
• Why do we need to watch what comes out of our mouth and always examine our hearts to keep pure?