“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:1-10).
Today’s Morsel: The phrase “Loose lips sink ships” was coined as a slogan during WWII as part of the US Office of War Information's attempt to limit the possibility of people inadvertently giving useful information to enemy spies. The slogan was actually Loose Lips Might Sink Ships. This was one of several similar slogans which all came under the campaign's basic message 'Careless Talk Costs Lives'. The slogan was in use by 1942, as this example from the Maryland paper The News, May 1942 shows: As Countians [attendees at the local county school] registered in the high school lobby before the opening of the meeting, they were surrounded on all sides by placards bearing such admonitions as "Loose Lips Might Sink Ships", "Defense On The Sea Begins On The Shore", "Defense In The Field Begins In The Factory". The people were encouraged to be careful what they were saying and to whom they were saying it to. Especially if it could endanger security or servicemembers lives. James said that our tongue is a little member, but it can set on fire the courses of hell. The Psalmist prayed, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalms 141:3). He knew that it was possible to utter words that may not be true or to say things that could cause others hurt. One of the steps to becoming a perfect man is to learn to bridle our tongue.
Sing: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight O’ God. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight O’ God. May the words that I say, be pleasing to You, be pleasing to You, O’ Lord. May the words that I say, be pleasing to You, be pleasing to You, O’ Lord.
Thought For Today: Watch the door of your mouth (Parker).
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