Thursday, July 30, 2026

Opening Scripture

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32

Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, I believe you can do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine, according to Your power at work within me. Help me to trust You today to meet all my needs. May Your love and peace be present and evident in my life. May others see Jesus in me. In His name I pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

James 3

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Reflection  

Once again, James cuts to the chase. Those who “talk the talk” must “walk the walk.” Those who claim to have God-given wisdom must show it through their humble service to others. Those who teach must be especially thoughtful about their instruction to others.

While actions may speak louder than words, what we say does matter – a lot. A powerful horse can be controlled with a small bit. A large ship can be steered by a simple rudder. A great forest can be set on fire by a small spark. As such, the tongue may be the most powerful muscle in the body.

An untamed mouth “is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” An uncontrolled tongue can ruin a life and harm everyone around it. “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

James continues to emphasize the fact that one of the most important (and difficult) expressions of self-control is watching what you say. At the beginning of this letter, James offers the simple directive, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Great advice!

He followed that up with the stinging decree, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” Ouch!

James goes on to warn about prideful boasting. He calls out those who claim to have great faith, but do nothing with it. He cautions those who “presume to be teachers,” but have not counted the cost. Later, James warns about being critical and judgmental of others, and in the final chapter, he warns against grumbling.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Proverbs 21:23 adds, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. The words we speak matter!

In Luke 6:45, Jesus says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus warns, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Paul offers this encouragement in Colossians 4:6, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

It is worth noting that James makes numerous references to nature in his letter. Presumably, everyone can understand and relate to the common illustrations that exist in creation. So far, James has mentioned these.

Wave of the sea… tossed by the wind.

Wildflower… scorched by the sun.

Heavenly lights… shifting shadows.

A bit in a horse’s mouth… a ship steered by a rudder.

A great forest set on fire by a spark.

Animals, birds, reptiles, creatures of the sea.

Deadly poison. Fresh water. Salt water.

Olives. Grapes. Figs.

Sow in peace… raise a harvest of righteousness.

Much like Jesus did, James uses natural phenomena to illustrate spiritual truths. These everyday examples are relatable and memorable.

What are you relating to or remembering in our study of James?

What is the Spirit causing to resonate within you?

What are you planning to do about it?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!