Taming the tongue

Our pastor spoke about taming the tongue last Sunday. It is a message that has stuck with me all week long. He used this scripture.

James 3:7-12 (New International Version)

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

⁹With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ¹¹Can both fresh water and salt^a]">[a] water flow from the same spring? ¹²My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

I really enjoyed this sermon even though I am sure a hard topic to take on. As a call to action Pastor asked the congregants if they would be willing to take a 30 day fast of not talking about people. I do feel like this is a problem in my life so I raised my hand.

I can't say that I have been perfect it about it but anytime I hear myself start to do it or hear someone else do it I am quickly reminded of the fast. According to the internet it takes 21 days to break a habit so I have 2 more weeks to be successful. Wish me luck because taming the tongue is VERY HARD!