Jas 3:1-10 Ps 12:2-3, 4-5, 7-8 Mk 9:2-13

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

"From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.
My brothers and sisters, this need not be so."- James 3:10

Ever thought about that? The mouth we use to praise our heavenly Father is the same one we use to mutter curses at the guy who just cut us off on the highway. The same mouth we use to smile and laugh with joy at the beauties of God’s creation is the one we use to spread the “latest news” about our coworkers.

Funny, the justifications we use: “I just wasn’t thinking when I said that…,” “They’ll never know,” “Pardon my ‘French’.”  There seems to be a common thread of non-intentionality among many of our excuses for the curses that come from our mouths.

However, we’ve got to own every dark word that comes from us, knowing we could choose something better in its place. It’s our knowledge and our ability to choose that sets us human beings apart from the rest of the universe, right? Why would we choose words that tear down when we can use other words to build up?

So, let’s own our decisions and speak intentionally. Let’s call ourselves and our close family members and friends out when we tear each other (and ourselves) down. As Christians, we won’t stop praising God, so let’s set that praise as our standard of speech and lift up those around us with words of blessing as well.

Today, and tomorrow, and forever, we have the choice to bless or curse. My brothers and sisters, let your tongue be intentionally God’s. You have the ability to sanctify the world around you with your words! Try talking about that today with some friends.