James 3:10 - Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing...

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be

Our tongues are hypocritically inconsistent. One minute blessing and the next minute cursing. James tells us plainly, "this must not be."

If you pour salt water into fresh water, guess what you get -- more salt water.

Inconsistency in our speech pollutes our character and witness. Speech is more than words, it is a reflection of the heart.

1 Pet 3:10 - Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

To enjoy life we must refrain from speaking evil and keep our lips from lying.

Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16a (see memory verse below) to confirm that God's blessing rests on those who practices righteousness.

Why is speech so important? Consider the following verse:

"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." - James 3:5-6a

ACTION: What steps can you take to guard your tongue today?