Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. -Psalms 19:14 (KJV)

I recently decided to put forth a greater effort to get to really befriend my stepson. We have had our differences and arguments along the way, which really only started a couple of years ago when he moved into an apartment we have in our house. I could get into the circumstances surrounding our difficulty and perhaps even get some sympathy from the reader as a result, but that really would serve no purpose. What I need to get from all of this has nothing to do with validation or sympathy and everything to do with a spirit of forgiveness. So, while we may never become friends (I shall leave “the ball in his court”), at least I know I will have dealt with any bitterness I might be harboring in regard to him.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. -Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

When I look at this deep-seated anger I have been carrying since last summer when things were said between us, I cannot help but affirm the warning the bible gives us about the tongue– and the power it yields in the lives of those we encounter. I have not forgotten the things he said to me about me in anger and, try as I might, I have not forgotten the things I said to him, either. Some deep and regular prayer on this issue will solve the problem, which could have been avoided (at least on my part) if I had chosen my words more carefully and not allowed myself to be provoked. I must remember that, although a relatively small part of the body, the mouth can have a huge impact.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. -James 3:6 (KJV)