Taming the Tongue

Written By Betty Predmore

Taming the Tongue

JAMES 2:18-3:18

(November 19)

Have you ever said something then wished you could pull the words back into your mouth? Or dig a hole and hide in it? Or felt that moment of instant regret as soon as the words left your lips?

How deadly our tongue can be! We can so easily use it to cause pain to others. Sometimes that is done on purpose, sometimes not. Once spoken, they can't be unspoken. Once heard, they can't be unheard.

Today's portion of the Book of James talks about how difficult it is to tame our tongues. We can train our pets, tame all sorts of animals, but that tongue is another story.

How strange it is that we use the same tongue to bring others down that we use to praise God and sing songs of worship to him. But when we use our tongue for both good and evil, are we REALLY praising God when we are speaking negativity into others?

Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? (verse 11)

Being wise to the ways of God, and understanding the ways of our own tongues, can help us live honorably when we seek to prevent our tongues from spreading evil. Bypassing negative, harsh, critical words, and focusing on the good in others helps us to live righteously.

There should be no hate, no bitterness, no resentment or jealousy in the words we speak. Remember that your tongue has the power to influence others ... either for good or for bad. It is the hardest thing to control and is our greatest weapon.

Like a fire is good for warmth but can also be scorching, so is the tongue. Only when we use the Holy Spirit as our guide can we overcome the battle with the tongue and the words we speak.

Consider what your thoughts are. Are you thinking on the "good stuff" of Philippians 4:8? Or are your thoughts constantly filled with anger, resentment, bitterness, jealousy, and malice? The thoughts we carry in our minds become the words we speak with our mouths.

By pondering before we speak and thinking about whether what we want to say is true, kind and necessary, we can take control over our words and truly tame our tongues, seeking to imitate God instead of the enemy.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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