The judge is standing at the door of a heart: “Don’t come!”

I noticed you wearing a wristwatch upside down, avoiding checking the time. You shut your eyes and covered your ears, not wanting to see or hear anything. When reminded of James 5:9, you replied, “Don’t come.” You were reluctant to reflect on and repent for the harsh words.

The book of James in the Bible offers wisdom for daily life. A significant focus of the book is on being careful with one's words, as they can have a devastating impact on an individual's life. “Likewise, 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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” - James 3:5-6

Words have the power to heal, but they can also damage and destroy. Today, you can prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit to examine your heart for any harmful words you've spoken that led to division or destruction of relationships. Repent if necessary, and seek grace to speak words that heal. “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones.” - Proverbs 16:24

“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” - James 5:9. ESV