The Weapon Behind Our Teeth

The Weapon Behind Our Teeth

Devotional
Our words have incredible power—they can build up or tear down, heal or wound, bless or curse. James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set an entire forest ablaze. With just a few words, we can inflict deep wounds that may take years to heal. When anger takes hold of our hearts, our tongues often become weapons of destruction. We use cutting remarks, harsh criticisms, and character assassinations to tear others down, forgetting that each person bears God’s sacred image. The irony is striking: we praise God on Sunday and tear down His image-bearers on Monday. This inconsistency reveals the divided nature of our hearts. We cannot truly honor God while dishonoring those made in His likeness. Our words reveal what truly lives in our hearts. The solution isn’t merely watching our words but allowing God to transform our hearts. When we see others through God’s eyes—as precious bearers of His image—our words naturally become instruments of grace rather than destruction. Today, consider how your words reflect your view of others’ sacred worth.

Bible Verse
“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” – James 3:9-10

Reflection Question
How have your words recently built up or torn down others, and what does this reveal about how you truly view their worth?

Quote
“We come into church on Sunday and we say, oh, Lord, how great are your works. We sing the songs, we lift our hands. Amen. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. And then with that same tongue, we go to work tomorrow and we unload, never understanding that the people we are unloading on are made in the very likeness of the God that we worshiped yesterday.”

Prayer
Holy Spirit, guard my tongue today. Help me to speak words that honor the image of God in others. When I’m tempted to tear down with my words, remind me of the sacred worth of each person. Transform my heart so my words flow from Your love. Amen.