These things ought not to be this way

By: Carole Lynne Haines

⁹ With our tongues we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; ¹⁰ from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. ¹¹ Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? (James 3:9-11)

I haven’t posted in a while because I am working on a book right now. This morning I have secluded myself in a hotel and am going to seek the Lord and write all day as He leads me. But I gotta tell ya, reading the above verses was so convicting this morning. I really struggle with a sharp tongue sometimes. O yeah, I say I am sorry after creating a mouthy scene, but wouldn’t it be better just to stay silent. Jesus tells me that I am a spring of water, yet there are bitter waters flowing out of the same spring the brings forth praise to my Father. Truly, “these things should not be this way.”

My tongue has been an issue for me since the dawn of my time here on earth. I have heard that I was a crier as a baby; and that trend has haunted me into adulthood. God has dealt with these issues with me in chunks. One of the biggest chunks He has had to work hardest and longest on with me is the misnomer that, “I have a right to my opinion!’

Actually, no I don’t. I yielded my rights to the transforming work of Christ in and through me. I yielded my right to my own opinion when I took up my cross to follow Christ. Times without number I have found myself repenting of something I said about someone else. Most of my sins are sins that occur within the confines of my own heart, out of the earshot of most people. Thank God for that little blessing, but nonetheless, “these things ought not to be this way.” I compare this to the tin roof that used to grace my worn and weary shed outside in the yard. It had places that bent up when a gale of wind would catch it. No matter how often my husband nailed that tin roof down, a strong gust of wind would bend it up again in stormy weather. Even so I, in times of stress, I allow gusty circumstances to bend my tongue and it spews for bitter water.

But even stronger than my deep-set sins are the promises from God for transformation. A promise that He has begun a good work in me and will be faithful to complete it (Phil. 1:6) A promise that everything I need to lead a godly life has already been poured out within me through the true knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). God is not finished yet in this sanctifying work, and He is faithful. I know that as I learn to get out of His way and let more and more of Christ flow through me, transformation is promised. Thank you, Yes Lord. Indeed, these things should not be this way, and by Your power and love, they will not be. I yield to the change of Christ in me, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27)