Vital signs- Thursday, February 23rd, 2023

“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

The old rabbis used to say God gave us two ears that are out, exposed, and easy to be seen, but God put our tongue behind some iron bars, guarded and inside to show that we ought to listen twice as much as we speak.

Sometimes, we want to be the judge, the jury, and the executioner. We want to play the blame game and blame our mates or others.It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when Adam wanted to blame Eve. We assign guilt. We say, “It’s all your fault; you should be ashamed.” Listen, if you find yourself saying words like, “You always,” or “You never”—that’s destructive. Don’t ever begin the sentence with “You-this” or, “You-that,” because you’re playing the judge, and that’s not your role. The Bible says, “Love is kind.” Rather than saying, “You always,” or “You never,” try, “I feel,” “I need,” or “It seems to me.” The Bible says we’re to guard our tongues (see Proverbs 21:23). When you listen, listen carefully. When you speak, speak wisely.

• When have your words been hurtful to someone else?

• How have you been affected by the hurtful words of others?

Think about someone you may have hurt recently with your words. Repent and make peace.

Pray with me-

Father

Today, please guard my tongue that nothing would come from my lips other than that that would bring you glory. Forgive me for the times in the past when i used my tongue for something other than what it should be used for. Would you bring to mind those who i have hurt that I need to seek forgiveness from And give me the boldness to make things right. May our lips our tongue our mouths only be used for prayer, praise, Thanksgiving, edification, instruction and the sharing of the gospel.

In Jesus name

Team Wade loves you and there’s nothing you can do about it❤️👊