January 21st | The Tongue Reflects The Heart

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Our words can harm others, whether we intend for them to or not.

Today's devotion focuses on how we, as children of God, should speak—reflecting our true identity in Christ through both our words and actions.

We begin with 1 John 3:18 (NIV): "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

This verse reminds us that genuine love isn't just spoken—it's lived out. Our tongue often reflects what's truly in our heart. Yet even with the best intentions flowing from a sincere heart, our words can still stumble us because the tongue is notoriously difficult to control. Those who master their speech usually show self-control in many other areas of life as well.

Our words and actions are deeply connected: what we speak often shapes what we do, and our deeds back up (or contradict) our declarations. No matter our different backgrounds or past experiences, a truly tamed tongue is evidence of a renewed heart—one that's actively seeking to align with who we are in Christ.

James gives us one of the clearest and most powerful teachings on this in James 3:3-12 (NIV). Let's look closely at his words:

- Verses 3-4: "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go."

Just as a small bit directs a powerful horse and a tiny rudder guides a massive ship, our small tongue holds immense influence over our entire life and direction.

- Verse 5-6: "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

A single careless word can ignite destruction, corrupting us from within and derailing our path—like a spark that burns an entire forest.

- Verses 7-8: "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of poison."

Humanity can tame wild beasts, but the tongue defies our efforts—it's restless, poisonous, and beyond full human control apart from God's help.

- Verses 9-10: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."

It's inconsistent and hypocritical to bless God in worship and then tear down people created in His image with the same mouth.

- Verses 11-12: "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

A spring can't produce both fresh and bitter water; a tree produces fruit according to its nature. Likewise, our speech should consistently reflect a heart transformed by Christ—not a mix of blessing and cursing.

As children of God, our speech matters because it flows from our renewed identity in Him. We can't tame the tongue in our own strength, but through the Holy Spirit's power, a transformed heart produces consistent, life-giving words. Let your speech today match your actions—full of truth, love, encouragement, and praise. Guard against careless words that spark harm. Choose to build up rather than tear down, remembering that people around you bear God's likeness.