I love reading the wisdom in the book of James. He has short little wisdom nuggets for us as we read throughout the whole book. His writings are less about theological information and more about how to challenge us in our daily living. He includes little one-liners and metaphors that are easy to remember and memorize.
In Chapter 3 James talks about the tongue. Or our words. I was especially challenged when he warns us to be careful with how we speak about other people because those people were made in the image of God. It’s easy to talk “smack” or slander others. But when we do, we are putting down what God created. And not just created but created in his likeness.
The tongue is a powerful muscle. We talk about this often with our kids especially with them being in their playground years of life. But let us not forget this as adults. That powerful muscle God created… the tongue. Use it for good. Use it to build up rather than to tear down. Use it to encourage rather than slander. Use it for praise over insult. Use it for truth over gossip. It sounds easy to do but this is no easy task. We need to constantly be aware. Constantly be in-step with the Lord. Aligned with his will. It is not an easy thing to do on our own so it’s a good thing we have the Helper within us.
I pray that we see people, all people as images of God. Because when that shift takes place, we see them as broken and beautiful. Rather than an object.
In His likeness.
