Wednesday, November 20th, 2019

The political division in this country is only growing due to the impeachment inquiry. With it, countless people are discussing it and posting about it online. Often, the same people who post espousing the freedom and love of Jesus are in the same breath cursing whatever political figures they disagree with. James confronted this exact conundrum of human nature, saying, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” The truth is that we who call upon the name of Jesus are set apart and more is expected of us in the eyes of the Lord — and the world. Jesus cannot shine through us when our outward appearance to the world - through our actions, words, and social media posts- communicates hate, anger, bitterness, or a lack of compassion. Think about it — would you see Jesus in someone whose words and actions communicated everything he opposed? Our great commission is to go into the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ, but when we use our words and deeds to instead combat everything he stood for, we fail our charge. Today, no matter what you are feeling about the world today, rise above the temptations to vent your anger sinfully. Remember, it is possible to critique without cursing.

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” — James 3:9-12 NIV