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

Several years ago, desiring that my tongue should be reserved for “fresh water,” I put together a list of verses about the tongue to instruct me. Reflecting on the verses helps me to be mindful of the words on my tongue and changes the way I speak. Here are those verses and my responsive prayers:  Tame the Tongue.

But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant. Deuteronomy 15:16-17

After convicting me of how I use my tongue with my family, God led me to Deuteronomy 15:16-17. He gave me the picture of my tongue stretched out and pierced with His awl to His door. As I walked around my house, that picture stayed before me and reminded me to keep my tongue as God’s slave.

Lord, may you pierce my tongue on your door, that it may always be your servant and never leave you.