Discipling our tongues  (James 3)

We all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man (ie. complete, mature, whole), able also to bridle his whole body. (James 3:2)

"The control of the tongue is more than an evidence of spiritual maturity, it is the means to it."  (The Message of James, J.A. Motyer)

This is so intriguing to me - is seems to reinforce this reality that we are whole beings, all of one piece:  not just souls with bodies, or spirits trapped in physical corruption, or spirit-soul-body people with each part fairly separate from the others.  One of James' points in seems to be that how we use our words can aid the transformation of the heart, as well as affirming the truth that the transformation of our hearts will aid how we use our words.

There are actually spiritual disciplines that deal specifically with our words, that help us to "bridle" our tongues - and in turn our hearts and lives.  We touch on them in the Class of New Apostles.  I'll share about them tomorrow.