10/07/2026
Tongue In Control
The ultimate test of self-control is the control of the tongue. A live a life that pleases God, we must learn to control the tongue. Careless and abusive words can destroy others. Lying is sin (Ephesians 4:25). Gossip and slander are sins (Ephesians 4:31: James 4:11) Angry words and name-calling are sins (Ephesians 4:29-32). Words that put others down are sins (Colossians 3:8).
The question then, is this: If self-control is so important and not impossible, then how do I have it?
Ultimately, self-control is about being controlled by Christ. When“the love of Christ controls us”, we can experience the freedom to exercise self-control, when we find strength in the strength of another - Jesus Christ!
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:14-17)
True self-control is not about bringing ourselves under our own control, but submitting self under Christ-control. Kingdom self-control begins with the change of our sinful nature, an exchanged for Christ’s nature.
Prayer: Father, I know my tongue sometimes gets ahead of my mind and heart. I am sorry for words I have spoken in anger, haste, or in gossip. Holy Spirit, prompt me when I am about to speak without thinking and to check my heart. May my words always bring consolation to those in sorrow and guidance to those in need. Let me be an instrument of Your goodness. In The powerful name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!
📖 “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. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it 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. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”
James 3:2-12 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.3.2-12.ESV
Life in the Kingdom
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/12361