When the Bitter, Salty Waters of the Heart Turn Sweet Again

James 3.5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt^a water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

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So how can fresh living water flow from our restless tongues?

Oh Lord, who alone can change the molecular structure of our hearts,

From whose sanctuary, waters flow among the swamps of our heart

Turning the salt water fresh, (Ezekiel 47:9)

The wood of whose cross turns our bitter water sweet, (Exodus 15:25)

Change the springs of my heart from whence my words flow

To sweetness.