APRIL 14

James 3:7-12

                               OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH

 When you drink from the water cooler in school, do you expect the taste to remain consistent? Or do you expect it to be sweet one day and bitter the next? Surely we’d prefer the taste to be much the same daily. What about the words from our mouth? Do our mouths sometimes sing praises to God and at other times say rude things to people?

 Once again James uses some strong words to describe the tongue. What are they? Answer: (see verse 8)
 • No one can __________ it;
 • Unruly _____________;
  • __________ poison.

  Today we will look at how easily we can shift from praising God to cursing others, and from cursing others to praising God. For instance, just when you are squabbling with your brother over what television programme to watch, the telephone rings. You pick it up and almost instantly you become sweet and nice when talking to your friend who called.

 Or you have just sung a hymn at the end of the Sunday school lesson, and your teacher wants everyone to be in line so she can hand out some goodies. However you jump the queue and tell your friends boorishly to get behind you.

Are there other similar incidents you can think of?
         
The apostle Paul has some advice for.
Read Ephesians 4:29 and ll in the blanks:
         
Let __________ corrupt communication (words) proceed out of your __________, but that which is __________ to the use of __________ (encouraging), that it may minister __________ unto the __________.

Thought: When are you most likely to say hurtful and harsh things?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me speak wholesome words. I know at times I feel like saying rude or unkind things, but please help me to control myself and to submit myself to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.