December 21st

Sweet Water and Bitter

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Blessing God and Cursing Men

In this passage, James is pointing out that with one mouth we bless God, the Father, and with the same mouth we curse men, who are made in God’s image, the point being that both blessing and cursing come from the same mouth, which things ought not to be.

The Fountain of Our Words

The question James asks at this point is an interesting one. Does a fountain give sweet water and bitter water at the same place? What is he saying? He is saying that our words should not be sweet at one time and bitter at another.

Bridling the Tongue

This goes along with the process of bridling the tongue, as James spoke about in the earlier part of the chapter. He said that we can control a horse with a small bit in its mouth, and we can control a large ship with a small helm, or rudder. And he goes on to say that so is our tongue among our members. By controlling it, we can steer our whole body.

Sweet Water

The point that comes through this analogy of the fountain is that we should determine to always bring forth sweet water, words that bless, words that built up, words that comfort, words that are kind and gentle. And we should resist the urge to bring forth bitter water, or bitter words. That is one of the ways we bridle the tongue and bring it under our control.

Make the decision today to be one who speaks kind and gentle words at all times. Catch yourself when your words become sharp and hurtful and selfish. Make up your mind that only words that bless will come out of your mouth, and that nothing of an evil nature will be part of your conversation.