ECWA Devotion for Thursday 8 January 2026

THURSDAY, 8TH JANUARY

TEXT: JAMES 3:1-6

1. My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others.

 

2. All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.

 

3. We put a bit into the mouth of a horse to make it obey us, and we are able to make it go where we want.

 

4. Or think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder, and it goes wherever the pilot wants it to go.

 

5. So it is with the tongue: small as it is, it can boast about great things. Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame!

 

6. And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself.

 

TOPIC: THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

 

James emphasises the responsibility of Teachers in communicating God's word. He points out that reckless speech can lead to serious consequences, referencing Jesus' warning in Matthew 12:36-37 about every careless word being accountable.

 

With the average person speaking 16,000 to 20,000 words daily, it's crucial to be careful with our words.

 

This applies especially to teachers, Pastors, and anyone in a communicative role. Ponder on Proverbs 10:32.

 

QUESTION: How would others describe your communication Style?

 

PRAYER: Lord, help me guard my words. (Psalm 34:13)

EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL (ECWA) FOOD FOR THE DAY 2026.