November 23

James 1-5
The primary message of James is the control of the tongue.  I don’t know how many times I have seen lack of control results it disaster.  We often say things that are hurtful, destroying relationships, reputations, and this very often happens to those we love the most.  When we are, ourselves, hurt by another we strike back with ugly words.  The result it two hurt people.  When, if we were to respond with kind words, even if rejected by the other, the end result is less harmful.  Words mean things.  They are easily spoken, and impossible to take back.  We live in a nation that celebrates freedom of speech.  Unfortunately, that freedom is often abused.  Profanity is rampant, and this “freedom” is often used in ways that ought not be.  As Christians, we should know the boundaries of our freedom of speech, and gladly live within those boundaries.