Sparkie Inspires

James 3

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 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.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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.

5 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. 6 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.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

TAMING THE WORDS

Words can inspire or hurt

As a kid, I remember kids teasing me that I couldn’t read good or spell. I raised my hand in class in third game for help. Asking the teacher how to spell come? Kids started laughing and one kid said you are so dumb. The teacher told him that wasn’t nice and spelled the word for me. This experience taught me to reword sentences. Even today, if I can spell a word, I change the sentence.

I quickly learned in adult life, we are all different and how important words are. We can inspire people, keep hope alive and be a positive example to others. Jesus gave it all for each of us, so we can give it all back by living his example of life. Watch your words, you can’t take them back!

Blessings, Sparkie