"Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so." James 3:10
Guilty...as self-charged! I cringe when I hear someone talking that doesn't know how to speak a single sentence without using profanities. I cringe when I hear someone take the Lord's name in vain. And then, I especially cringe if I hear a profanity come out of my own mouth...but it happens. I don't exactly have control of my tongue at all times.
James also says "the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity" vs 6 and yes, it burns me sometimes. If I lose my patience (especially in traffic) then even if I'm in the middle of belting out a worship song in my car, my melodious praise song can instantly do an about-face to yell at the other offending driver. "These things ought not to be so."
So this is my cofession...but I'm working on it - its not as bad as it once was nor as good as it once was. A phase perhaps, but certainly not a desirable one. And so I keep reading in James, this book of so much wisdom...
"...let every man (and woman) be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" 1:19
I so agree, Becky! And am also working on verbal self control myself.......reminds me of my Dad who when hitting his thumb with a hammer, or whatever situation it was, would burst out with an emphatic and heartfelt epitath in dutch.....which, as I found myself also feeling the need for such an expression, I would also use the same dutch phrase, simple and satisfying. It wasn't until I was well into my late twenties or early thirties,still using that particular phrase, that another person who knew the dutch language asked me why I would occasionally hollar "POT OF FLOWERS!" in such a frustrated or angry way that I knew what it actually meant - kinda funny, although that opens a whole other dilemma - about knowing what we utter when we speak.........and with what intent.....
ReplyDeleteLove you Beck!
Melinda
I hear ya Beck. Even if we don't utter, even if we think it, it's the same...
ReplyDeleteWow, like the Bible says, our hearts are deceitful. Praise God, he's in the business of washing them clean...
And not only profanity, but words that do not edify. Words that hurt. Words that color other's minds. These are also things that can be worked on. Thanks for sharing Becky. I hope you have a good time with family this weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh my...my tongue has been out of control lately.....and my mind has been a mess.....too much stress...but that is really not an excuse
ReplyDeleteBless you Becky for being so honest...
Something I'm working on too SIL!!
ReplyDeleteTUTU
I think that the Lord is happy when we become aware of wrongdoings and make efforts in the right directions, lifting our right foot driving, finding a wonderful phrase like Pot of Flowers, smiling at the one yelling at us, but he also knows we are going to mess up, be happy that you feel guilty, you are on the right track
ReplyDelete