For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. (James 3:2, ESV)
The above words really struck me this morning, because while the word above translated “man” can refer to both men and women (and in this context probably does), it most often refers specifically to men.
And being a man, it particularly struck home with me. I don’t think many men think of their tongues as the thing keeping them from being “perfect.”
I certainly don’t.
But James says here that it is the one thing that often prevents us from being the men we ought to be.
It certainly prevents us from the husbands we ought to be. It prevents us from being the fathers we ought to be. For those who are single, it prevents us from being the boyfriend we ought to be.
How much damage do we do to our wives, our sons and daughters, and to our girlfriends by the things that come out of our mouths?
Men, I don’t know about you, but I want to be like my Lord. I want my words to heal, not burn. I want my words to be marked by the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
Lord Jesus, let me be the perfect man, controlling my tongue. Lord Jesus, let me be like you.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 