Taming Your Tongue

Bible Reading: James 3:1-12

Kaylee threw down her phone and fell back on her bed.

I can’t believe Emma isn’t inviting me to her party. I thought we were friends!

Just then Mom walked into her room. “Kaylee, please make your bed and take your laundry basket to the laundry room.”

Kaylee groaned. “I don’t feel like doing it right now, Mom. You’re on the way to the laundry room, so why don’t you take it yourself.”

“Kaylee! Do not talk to me like that. We each have chores we have to do. One of yours is to make your bed and pick up your room.”

“I’ll do it later,” Kaylee said.

Mom frowned at her. “Kaylee,” she said in a warning tone.

Kaylee got up and started to smooth out her sheets. “I’m not sure why I talked back to you. I guess I felt angry because Emma just told me I wasn’t invited to her party.” She sighed as she fluffed her pillow. “Emma’s attitude sometimes changes for no reason, and she can really hurt my feelings. One minute she’s talking about all the fun we had at youth group, and the next she’s telling me I’m not invited to her party. It’s like her words turn instantly rude!” She looked at her mom. “But then I just did the same thing to you, didn’t I? What makes us change like that?”

“Sometimes feeling disappointed or mad can make us want to hurt others,” replied Mom. “We need to watch what we say when we feel upset or hurt. And if we do sin with our words, we should ask for forgiveness right away—from both God and the person we hurt.” Mom put an arm around Kaylee. “Remember that Jesus loves you, me, and Emma all the same. He forgives us when we hurt others with our words, and He’ll also help us speak in a loving way, even when we feel upset.”

Kaylee nodded. “I’m sorry, Mom. I guess I was upset at Emma and took it out on you.” She sighed. “I was really looking forward to Emma’s party. Now what am I supposed to do?”

“Well,” said Mom, “Jesus forgives us when we hurt others, and He also helps us forgive others when they hurt us.”

-Christine Collier

How About You?

What kind of words come out of your mouth? Does it change depending on how you feel? Are you more likely to say rude or mean words when you feel disappointed or upset? When we say hurtful words in response to feeling hurt ourselves, it only makes things worse. If you’ve hurt someone with your words, ask them to forgive you, and ask Jesus for forgiveness too. Then trust Him to help you show His love to others through your words all the time.

Today’s Key Verse: Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Watch your words