Christmas is almost here. Families will be gathering, some with joyful anticipation and others with nervous anxiety, often in the same home. The police departments will be on high alert at the thought of domestic dispute calls. It is said that family arguments are the most dangerous situations for police to respond to. Sad but true.

I have had family gatherings turn ugly and end with evil words and slamming doors, leaving behind an atmosphere that felt like the wake of a knife-throwing contest. It is often the same culprit in every home that starts the chain of events, escalating out of control–the tongue. “The tongue is a tiny part of the body, yet it boasts great things. See how a little fire sets a whole forest ablaze! Yes, the tongue is a fire, a world of wickedness.” (James 3:5-6) Our tongues tend to be troublemakers when we don’t control them.

We may get up early and use our tongue to praise the Lord, as we should, but we use that same piece of equipment to attack his people. Many of our tongues are untethered bi-polar weapons, used for both good and evil. Worldly wisdom causes jealousy and selfish ambition which produce disharmony and evil behavior.

When families gather, they often bring along past hurts and anger that they have never dealt with. One little word may ignite the entire group. “But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure, then peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And peacemakers who sow seed in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17-18)

Blessing and cursing come from the same tongue. What kind of harvest are you looking for? Consider your words before you let your tongue have them.