Here’s a tough memory verse for all of us social media users: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

“Worthless.”

Whoa.

The great thing about verses like this are how quickly they bring us to a place of humility at the feet of Jesus. We know that we struggle with control over our tongues, and we also know don’t have self-control in our own strength.

Are we hopeless? No.

If we are believers in Christ, we are vessels of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we have access to the grace of the Holy Spirit, and we can be encouraged by verses like James 1:26. Why? Because “[b]y His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).

Did you catch that? He not only has equipped us to live like Christ, He has “called us to Himself.”

If He called us, then He wants to be with us. As we spend more time receiving from Him, we will overflow with the love of His Spirit. And while that same Spirit will often give us words to speak, He will also lead us to hold our tongues and wait on Him to do something that doesn’t require our words. May we recognize the Holy Spirit’s leading when He leads us to be silent to the glory of God.

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