Thursday - The Letter of James (James 3:9-10)

It’s time for daily payer! This week, we have been looking at and praying through James 3:1-12. These verses are a powerful reminder of the impact of our words.

Pause & Praise

As we begin our time together, let’s take a moment to quiet ourselves before the Lord.

Jesus, I want to restore my union with You! Please reveal anything in my life that is coming between us. I give that thing or those things to you right now. I don’t want anything to hinder my fellowship with You today.

I am reminded of what Peter said to You, Lord. “Only You have the words of eternal life.” I praise You today that out of Your mouth the words of eternal life flow. I am grateful that Your words change me and open the door to true life for me. Amen

Read and Reflect

Let’s read and reflect on today’s Scripture found In James 3:9-10.

"With it (the tongue) 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."

Ouch! Those two verses are convicting to me. What does it communicate to others when they hear us bless the Father yet curse a fellow Jesus follower or someone who is outside the faith? That is confusing. Jesus summed up the law by saying: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Love God. Love People. Yet we bless God and curse people? Something is amiss!

Ask

Let’s ask for help concerning our words.

Jesus, I don’t want blessing and cursing to flow from my mouth! I don’t want my words to be a source of confusion to others. Please forgive me for the careless words that I have allowed to come out of my mouth.  

Proverbs 12:18 says: The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Jesus, I repent of my reckless words. I desire instead to be wise in what I speak.

I don’t want my words to pierce others like a sword. I want my words to bring healing to others!

Holy Spirit, help me to consistently speak wise words that bring healing not reckless words that result in confusion and hurt.  

As we listen to the Scripture again, let the truth of how we choose to speak go deeply into our heart and mind…

"With it (the tongue) 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."

Yield

Lord, once again I consecrate the words that come out of my mouth. When I am tempted to be reckless and let my words pierce like swords, help me to keep my mouth shut!

I pray along with the words of David in Psalms 141:3. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth: Keep watch over the door of my lips!

Scripture Memory Verse

Listen to our memory verse for the week and commit it to your heart and mind.

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19

Jesus, as I go through my day, may this time we have spent together guide and direct all of my words and actions. 

In your name,

Amen!