A Tale of Two Tongues

For the most part, Tess is very well-behaved and has good manners. But, I have to admit, when it comes to food, all bets are off. Just the other day, I had my dinner plate sitting in my lap. I turned to say something to Jason, and when I turned back, I spied a certain tongue licking at my food. I promptly corrected her, but it was difficult since Jason was laughing at her antics. In his best "Tess impression," he said, "But Mommy, you know my tongue has a mind of its own." And suddenly, there was a heavenly thump in the back of my head. How often does my tongue have a mind of its own?

The picture of Tess, her pink tongue darting out impossibly fast to snatch a morsel from my plate, played in my mind as I pondered this divine nudge. There I was, wagging my finger at my four-legged friend when perhaps I needed the greater scolding. My little terrier couldn't help herself—food is her weakness. But what about me? What's my excuse when words fly from my mouth without proper filtering?

The book of James has quite a bit to say about the tongue. "Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" (James 3:5). Like Tess's swift tongue, my words can slip out before wisdom has a chance to catch up. One careless comment can start a conflagration that destroys relationships, trust, and testimony.

James continues by reminding us, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). It's a sobering thought, isn't it? Without divine intervention, we're as helpless to control our words as Tess is to resist the aroma of chicken on my plate.

The difference, of course, is that Tess doesn't know better. She operates on instinct. I, however, have been given the mind of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide my speech. I have no excuse when my tongue "has a mind of its own."

How many times have I justified a sarcastic remark or a cutting criticism by saying, "I didn't mean it; it just slipped out"? The truth is, what slips out in unguarded moments reveals what's truly in our hearts. As Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34).

So what's the solution? Daily surrender. Every morning, I need to pray as David did, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3). I need to invite the Holy Spirit to stand guard over my speech.

And when I fail—because I will—I must quickly repent, make amends, and learn from the experience.

Now when I catch Tess eyeing my plate with that look of barely contained restraint, I'm reminded to check my own "tongue tendencies." Perhaps God sent me this furry mirror to reflect back one of my own weaknesses in a way that makes me smile even as it convicts.