Taming the tongue...

Father, your creation declares your greatness and lovingkindness, encouraging statements of pure truth in our daily walk... It's extremely difficult to keep our mouth shut, especially in this day and age of constant interruptions and never-ending one-up-man-ship. Seems we all have something to say that MUST be more important than the person currently speaking based upon our rude and inexcusable actions. But the bottom line here, these things ought not to be, as James so aptly wrote; "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." (James 3:5-10) Lord, before I open my mouth, give me the wisdom to know when to humbly speak and when to humbly listen, THE way leading to understanding and life, and few there are who find it simply because they're too busy interrupting others and serving self… Thank you, Jesus, for showing us that you are the way, the truth, and the life; THE answer for those committed to seeking the truth in all things!