THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus
Friday, July 11, 2025

Lord, we remember that in our early years, our parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and caring adults advised us that if we couldn’t say something nice about someone, we shouldn’t say anything at all. This advice was meant to keep us out of trouble. However, as young people trying to find our identity, we often ignored that wisdom. In our immature thinking, putting someone down made us feel better about ourselves. Unfortunately, this trait can stick with us into adulthood.

As I reflect on my early adult years, I realize I often did this. While exploring the Psalms, I wonder if the psalmist faced a similar struggle, dealing with his own thoughts or frustrations toward someone else. The psalmist wrote:

“Does anyone want to live a long and prosperous life? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!” (Psalm 34:12, 13 NLT).

This advice couldn’t be clearer.

Lord, Your Word speaks loudly about how our tongues can get us into more trouble than a politician’s outrageous lies. Your earthly brother James pointed out that our tongue, though a small part of our body, can ignite an uncontrollable “forest fire” (James 3:1–10). Our human nature tends to exaggerate, making us seem greater than we really are. Your Word makes it clear how you view such boasting.

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility as you relate to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5 NLT).

Lord, may we never forget that we are not self-made believers. As your Holy Spirit guides us, may our words and actions bless others and help us honor you in everything we do.

Amen, Jesus.