Topic: Speech/Words

We've been talking about integrity in these studies the last several days. And the more I think about it, the more I think the little word grit in the middle of integrity is so appropriate. Sometimes you just have to accept and deal, in a determined way, with a difficult situation. The expression for doing that is "grit your teeth." And when you're dealing with troubling circumstances, it's really important to demonstrate integrity with what you say and do.

What Does God Say?

Job is a great example. After all had been stripped away from him--his wealth, his children and his health--Job's wife told him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die" (Job 2:9, ESV). Hardly anyone would have blamed Job if he had done just that.

But, instead, Job replied, "'Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips" (Job 2:10, ESV). Now that's integrity. That's grit in action. Though mystified as to why God would allow all this calamity to befall him, Job "grits his teeth" and resolves not to curse God.

Many of you may be familiar with the New Testament text on the subject of controlling the words that come out of your mouth. In James 3 we find, "For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body" (3:2, ESV).

James goes on to talk about how the tongue in our mouths is like the bit in a horse's mouth or the rudder on a ship. Our tongues, unguarded, can literally determine the course of our lives--or more seriously, the course of someone else's life.

We'll look more at the importance of controlling our tongues in the next section.

My Thoughts

As you read James 3:1-12, think about the following questions:

1. James opens this chapter with an admonition to teachers. Why is this so important in light of what follows?

2. James likens the tongue to a spark that will set a forest ablaze; how have you seen the truth of this statement?

My Part

As I wrote this study, I remembered a line from a song I learned when I was a chld in Sunday school.

But what really caught me was the final part of that verse.

What a simple yet profound statement. We are to guard our tongues because God is always watching us. But He's not looking down His nose at us, waiting for us to slip up. He's looking down in love, ready to help and guide us, understanding that we sometimes mess up. As you think about the words you say and the potential impact they have on others, say a prayer to God and ask Him to guide you in His love and give you words He would have you say.