Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? (James 3:11, KJV).
In Montrose, Colorado by the City Hall there is a fountain. It looks innocent enough, but one sip fills the mouth with quinine, no sweet water there!
However, if you drive a few miles west, you come to a spring called Iron Springs. If you drink this water, it provides cool refreshment, clear and sweet.
These two fountains are located miles apart. One offers bitter water, the other sweet. The same fountain does not send forth both bitter and sweet water. Yet, Jesus declares that out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. This does not please God.
Oh, the power of the tongue! James compares it to a fire which defiles the entire body and burns up the course of nature.
With a little bridle we can turn about the body of a horse. James says if we can control the tongue, we can bridle the whole body. However, we cannot tame our own tongues. Only God can do that.
Nobody takes poison knowingly, except to commit suicide. James compares the tongue to a deadly poison, an unruly evil, a world of iniquity.
Rather, He desires that out of our mouths flows true wisdom, the wisdom that comes from God and blesses others as cool, refreshing water.
Oh Lord, may sweet waters flow out of my tongue and not bitter. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Published in Penned from the Heart, Vol. 6, C 1999, Lynn Wallace.
See my bio, info about my book, articles, and more at www.writingfrommyheart.com
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