Praises and Curses

Thanks to Jason Collins' post on his blog, I recently discovered YouVersion.com. It's a web site/bible reader/journal/community. It's amazing. I read it while I'm at work during the slow points and it really helps me stay connected with God during a time that I normally would not focus on him at all.

So, last night, I'm reading James. First of all, may I say, James is a genius. I never realized how much insight this man of God had! I have skimmed James before and I've heard it read in sermons, but I've never truly read it in-depth. And wow... this small book (only 5 chapters) is packed full of amazing stuff! Ok, back to last night. So, I'm reading the third chapter of James, and I come across this verse. We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people, whom God made like himself. Praises and curses from the same mouth! This should not happen! James 3:9-10 (NCV)

Praises and curses from the same mouth. That line hit me. Wow. How can I honestly praise God every Sunday morning with songs of praise when I curse people throughout the week? Well, maybe not curse like hocus pocus or pray that their first-born child dies, but when I mutter a curse under my breath, isn't that the same thing? When I say one of those four-letter words that we all know and love -- and maybe I'm not saying it out of anger, maybe I'm just saying it to be funny -- is that not the same thing? How can I use that same mouth to sing words of praise and adoration to my Savior?

I know that I am guilty of this every day. I mutter things under my breath, I say jokes at people's expense, and I say words I shouldn't. Maybe I'm the only one who struggles with this, and if I am, Father, please help me. But if you struggle with this to, maybe this prayer should become part of our daily routine.

Father, train me so that I make this a forefront issue in my mind. Help me to focus on softening my tongue. Quick to listen, slow to speak. And when I do speak, let it always be honoring to you instead of degrading or vulgar language. I know that I can not honestly sing praises to you when I say these things throughout the week. Forgive me, and give me strength to continue to fight.