--- title: "Peacemaker Ministries Devotional \"By Our Speech\"" description: We make all kinds of plans, but what really matters is whether our tongues are submitted to the Lord. image: https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1565374196442.png --- [![wordmark-sm](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wordmark-sm.png?width=320&name=wordmark-sm.png "wordmark-sm")](https://grow.peacemaker.training) [![wordmark-sm](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wordmark-sm.png?width=320&name=wordmark-sm.png "wordmark-sm")](https://grow.peacemaker.training) - [Store](https://pm.training/store/) - [Events](https://pm.training/events/) - [Events & Webinars](https://pm.training/events/) - [Bring Peacemaker to You](https://peacemaker.training/event-pricing/) - Help - [Conflict Training](https://peacemaker.training/conflict-training/) - [Conflict Reconciliation](https://peacemaker.training/conflict-reconciliation/) - [Peacemaker Consulting](https://peacemaker.training/peacemaker-consulting/) - [About](https://pm.training/about/) - [About the Ministry](https://pm.training/about/) - [Our Beliefs](https://pm.training/beliefs/) - [Staff and Board](https://peacemaker.training/staff-board/) - [Policies and Finances](https://peacemaker.training/policies-finances/) - [Donate](https://pm.training/donate/) ![blog-header](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.jpg?width=1920&name=blog-header.jpg "blog-header") # Everyday Peacemaker # Peacemaker Ministries Devotional "By Our Speech" by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) / August 19, 2019 [![wordswag_1565374196442](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1565374196442.png)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-by-our-speech) Scripture  *The plans of the heart belong to man, *  *but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.* (Proverbs 16:1, ESV)  Thoughts  People plan and re-plan. We make all kinds of plans, but what really matters is whether our tongues are submitted to the Lord. You may ask, *Why do I need the Lord to direct my tongue?* The apostle James had a lot to say about the tongue:  *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, ESV)  *And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.* (James 3:6–8, ESV)  Clearly, James had seen a lot of pain and suffering caused by people whose tongues were weapons. He writes very forcefully, telling his readers that someone whose tongue is unbridled and whose heart is deceived has a worthless religion! Unless the Lord tames our tongues, they are “fire, restless evil and poisonous.” James’ clear warning is vividly presented in *The Message* version of James 3:6 – “By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.”   Application  Ask yourself who or what controls your tongue? Is it your emotions or desires? Is it God? Many relationships are ruined in a moment because somebody did not or would not get control of their tongue. My mouth has gotten away from me countless times. What kinds of words are coming out of your mouth? Are they pleasing to God? Are your words consistently seeking the good of others?  Prayer  Lord, help me to get hold of my tongue. Help me to build others up with words of encouragement. I want to give you the plans in my heart and the words in my mouth.… *Continue praying.*  P. Brian Noble Tags: [devotion](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/devotion), [Peacemaker Wisdom](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/peacemaker-wisdom), [plans](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/plans), [Proverbs](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/proverbs) 0 Comments - - - - [previous post](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/restoring-civility-servant-leadership) Restoring Civility: Servant Leadership [Next Post](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/restoring-civility-honoring-government-leaders) Restoring Civility: Honoring Government Leaders ![P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/Brian_Headshots08242018.43-Edit.jpg) ### [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) P. Brian Noble is an everyday guy who loves Jesus. He has been married to his best friend, Tanya, for 20 years and they have four children; they currently reside in eastern Washington. Brian has a Master of Arts in missional leadership from Northwest University. He is the Executive Director/CEO of Peacemaker Ministries. An ordained minister for the past 20+ years (3 years as a Youth Pastor, 14 years as a Senior Pastor, and 4 years as an Executive Pastor), he proclaims hope through the gospel message as the Holy Spirit empowers believers in their daily walk. He believes in the power of the Word of God to transform lives. He has been a Certified Christian Conciliator since 2008, with 1000+ hours of conflict coaching and mediation experience. His caseload has ranged from husband and wife cases, to family farm, to public schools, and even county government. Brian has taught peacemaking in local jails and even internationally in Uganda. His hope is that every Christian reconciles their differences in a way that glorifies God. His hope is that every Christian recognizes they are a Peacemaker before they try to do peacemaking. Finally, his hope is that every Christian reconciles by making authentic peace that blends justice, mercy, and humility. ### Related posts ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) March 29, 2021 ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) by [P. 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Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) February 8, 2021 ### Social Networks - - - - ### Newsletter Subscribe for New Blog Posts And Images.up to date form your inbox! ### Popular Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/IMG_0659.png) [My Pastor is Rude](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/my-pastor-is-rude) December 16, 2018 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1590774962450.png) [Prepare your Mind For Action](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/prepare-your-mind-for-action) June 5, 2020 ### Categories - [devotion (60)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/devotion) - [Peacemaker Wisdom (22)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/peacemaker-wisdom) - [The Path of a Peacemaker (16)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/the-path-of-a-peacemaker) ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) March 29, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) March 22, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752733844.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Own Gift](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-own-gift) March 15, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752698859.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Boast in God](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-boast-in-god) March 8, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752671036.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: A Logs Worth of Specks](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-a-logs-worth-of-specks) March 1, 2021 ![pm-logo-blog](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/pm-logo-blog.jpg?width=250&name=pm-logo-blog.jpg "pm-logo-blog") Peacemaker Ministries exists is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically in their families, marriages, workplaces, and communities. ### Paths - [Family](https://pm.training/family/) - [Churches](https://pm.training/churches/) - [Workplaces](https://pm.training/workplace-choice/) - [Coaching](https://pm.training/coaching/) - ### Subscribe to Everyday Peacemaker Blog updates and we'll let you know when new posts are available! ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) 29 March, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) 22 March, 2021 © Copyright 2017 | All Rights Reserved