Devotion//My terrible tongue

The older I get, the more I'm aware of words I wish I could take back. Those words often haunt my thoughts. And pummel me with shame.

My untamed tongue

I've said many hurtful things over the decades. Sometimes in an attempt at humor. Sometimes in a fit of anger. Always fueled by self-centeredness that made me deaf to how my words would resonate in the hearer's ears.

My words have been sword thrusts (Proverbs 12:18). They have been sharpened arrows (Psalm 64:3) and slashing razors (Psalm 52:2). They have set forests ablaze (James 3:5) with scorching fire (Proverbs 16:27).

I've learned some things about curbing my tongue. But the learning has come hard. You see, my sharp words didn't just hurt others. They boomeranged, burning and gashing me.

My taught tongue

The Spirit keeps teaching me to own my fire-breathing and, without excuse, to ask for forgiveness. I've also learned to give others more understanding when their arrows hit home in my heart.

But here's the best part. I have found deepening joy in the forgiveness Jesus won for my untamable tongue. It was on the cross that he welcomed the punishment I deserve for the arrows and razors of my words. On the cross not only were my tongue's sins -- along with all my sins -- washed away, so was my guilt and shame.

My tongue touched by grace

What a difference that truth makes!

On Jesus' cross, I became a new creation. With a new -- though still less than perfect -- tongue. A tongue that strives to sing his praise. A tongue that strives to say what is helpful for building others up. A tongue that is being transformed by his grace.