"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” ~James 1:19

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” ~James 1:19

God REALLY wants us to pay attention to this verse - this is the third time this year that He has directed our attention to these words. It is not difficult to see why - the world is full of anger. Social media makes it very easy to spout off about anything that gets on our nerves. Why is it so hard to scroll past something that we disagree with?

Cuss words are freely bunted about like beach balls and no one blinks an eye. TV shows hardly bleep them out anymore - even the ‘bad’ ones. Paul writes to the Ephesians in 4:29 “Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for building others up according to the need, so that it gives grace to those who hear it”

Remember, you may be the only Bible someone reads. Let Christ shine from you. Let His words be in your mouth (I used to think that meant that I had to start every sentence with “Behold!” or “Verily verily I say unto you..”). Count to ten before you react. Try to put yourself in the other’s shoes and consider things from their point of view. PRAY that the Holy Spirit will guard your tongue.

"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips." – Psalm 141:3

A beautiful prayer to start each day, isn’t it?

Written by: Bonnie Chovanec, 2026