Taming the Tongue, Following the Shepherd
Monday’s Verse:
From James 1:26 ESV
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.”
Saint James doesn’t mince words. He allows for little fence-straddling here. We can appear religious. We can talk a big game of faith—and still miss the mark.
In church this morning, my sermon reminded us that Jesus is our Good Shepherd, the One whose voice we know and follow. That imagery matters here, too. Sheep don’t guide themselves. They listen. They trust. They follow their shepherd’s voice above all others.
James grounds that same reality in the dirt of our daily lives: our words.
Our tongues will testify to who we worship. If our speech is reckless, biting, or focused on ourselves, then we’re not heeding the Shepherd’s voice. Sure, we may still be hanging around the sheepfold. We may talk a good game. But we’re not following Jesus.
That’s where Lutheran plodding comes in handy. James isn’t trying to legislate our words here. Our words do not save us. Christ Jesus has done that through His cross—it’s finished! But true faith is never silent. It’s active. Productive. Fruitful.
And one of the first ways we’ll see that fruit is in our conversation.
Our Good Shepherd, who gave His life for us, also speaks grace and truth over our lives. As we hear His Word mold us and shape us, over time (and this takes time!), our words will begin to change. Slowly. Failingly. But really.
So when we read James 1: 26, let’s not simply tremble at the warning. Let’s throw ourselves back on the Shepherd’s voice.
Let’s listen. Let God’s Word wash over us. And may our words begin to echo His kindness in return.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, You are our Good Shepherd who speaks kindness and truth over us. Forgive us for speaking thoughtlessly and destructively. Teach us to pay attention to Your voice. Mold us by Your Word so that our words might echo Your love. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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