A Short Sermon about the Tongue

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(The back cover of one of my devotional books, 2011)

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring. (James 3:7-12)

I spent the first 27.5 years of my life trying to avoid using curse words, especially ones used to describe characteristics of certain annoying people in my life. Last year, I picked up a few curse words, only used in extreme circumstances and only to describe how horrid a situation felt. Some words more aptly suit the pain and travesty of life than other, more tame words.

The other day, a friend texted me out of the blue rejoicing in happy family news. I responded via text with all joy and praise to God! Then about ten minutes later, I realized that my boss had done yet another vindictive, disrespectful thing towards me (I should be used to it by now), and I was suddenly so filled with hurt and rage that I was ready and willing to use all sorts of words in regards to her character. I sent the same friend, who knows about my work drama, a text alerting her to the fact that my boss had "done it again" and I freely called her two things which will remain unwritten here for fear of making the same mistake twice.

My friend commiserated. A few minutes later, I was realizing, "Wait, why am I getting so mad about her same shenanigans? If she feels the need to act meanly as the boss of a Christian organization, then I will leave her to God." I apologized to the Lord for getting so angry and as my anger subsided, God swiftly brought to mind the verse about using our tongue to bless God and curse our fellow man in the same breath. While I didn't actually use my tongue in this instance, my fingers were typing plenty of mischief on their own, and almost immediately after sending the first text about praising God.

I was immediately stricken.

I still have no power over how my boss treats me. We may never be reconciled and I may never learn to respect her as I have wanted to for almost three years, but I do have control over the way I respond to her unappreciative ways. God and I are still in this mess together, he's helping me navigate the boredom, the injustice, and the instability of working in such a place and it is up to me to keep my heart and attitude in check before the Lord. So, again, I left my boss in God's hands, apologized to God, and my friend (for exposing her to my sin), and endeavored to do better in the future.

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