Sanctification by the Holy Spirit is a mystery—a beautiful, ongoing journey, much like the unfolding of the stars in a dark sky, each moment revealing a little more light. It is the process of being made holy, not in an instant, but in the steady rhythm of daily renewal through repentance. Because of original sin, we are bent, as though our hearts are twisted in on themselves, always leaning toward our own desires. And yet, the Holy Spirit moves quietly, persistently, reshaping us, drawing us toward the likeness of Christ, just as a sculptor carefully carves beauty from stone. This sanctification isn’t a single, dazzling moment, but a lifelong adventure—a daily dying to sin and rising again in the new life that Christ offers. Through repentance, we turn away from the darkness and look toward the light, seeking God’s grace anew each morning. As new creations in Christ, we are constantly being renewed, shaped by the hands of God to reflect his holiness. Though we wrestle with sin, it’s God’s endless work in us that transforms us, molding us more and more into the image of Jesus, with every breath, every moment.
Let us pray. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
During her lunch break, Amber spots her boss’s son having a meal with a woman who clearly isn’t his wife. Her instincts tingle—this could be the drama she’s been waiting for. Sensing a story, she snaps a few pictures and rushes back to the office. After a quick scroll through Facebook and Instagram, she realizes the woman isn’t some mystery romantic interest at all, but the son’s stepsister. Amber didn’t even know the boss had a daughter from a previous marriage! But despite this realization, she just can’t help herself. She prints out the photos and makes a beeline for the boss’s secretary. Amber loudly recounts the entire scene, even highlighting how the son hugged and kissed the woman, all while flashing her hastily printed evidence. The secretary listens patiently, then says, “Amber, I don’t know exactly what you’re implying, but I’m afraid this is a family affair.”
It’s a humorous situation, but also one that reveals how easily words and assumptions can stir up trouble. St. James speaks directly to this when he says, “No one can tame the tongue,” he says, going on to say, “It’s a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it, we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those made in God’s image. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This ought not to be so.” That last bit he adds, just in case you were at all foggy on what he was getting at. Oh no, no, no! This is not how it’s supposed to be! Words have immense power. They can either build up or tear down. As disciples of Jesus, our speech must mirror the grace we’ve received from God.
Amber’s story shows how gossip and assumptions can harm reputations, even when the whole truth isn’t known. James uses vivid imagery when he writes, “The tongue is a small spark that can set a forest ablaze,” and it’s easy to see how a bit of juicy gossip can burn down relationships. It’s worth remembering God’s law from Sinai: “Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.” On the surface, this command seems simple: don’t lie. But as our good ole friend Martin Luther explains, God’s commands go deeper than we first realize. Not only are we forbidden from lying about others, but we are also called to defend them, speak well of them, and interpret their actions in the best possible light.
Amber’s actions didn’t just threaten to damage reputations—they could have harmed the trust others had in her boss’s family, all because she rushed to the worst possible conclusion. Why assume the worst about a lunch with a stepsister? It wasn’t sneaky or shameful, but Amber’s ears itched to hear gossip, and her tongue couldn’t wait to spread it. As Luther sharply notes, “Learning a bit of gossip about someone else, gossips spread it into every corner, relishing and delighting in the chance to stir up someone else’s dirt like pigs that roll in manure.” It’s an unpleasant image, but it’s meant to jolt us awake. Gossip isn’t just idle talk—it’s seizing God’s role as judge and tearing down others when we should be lifting them up.
But what if we do know the truth? Even then, we’re obligated to speak it in love. As Christians, we’re called to speak in ways that build others up, not tear them down. “We must speak the truth in love, such that it builds up, rather than sears and leaves the scar of a wounded relationship.” Proverbs echoes this when it tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Words can destroy, but they can also heal and give life.
Talking about people when they’re not present isn’t necessarily gossip. What turns casual conversation into gossip is when our words begin to betray, slander, or damage someone’s reputation. So how do we guard our speech? The key is simple: “Speak of others who aren’t present only in a way you’d speak if they could hear it with their own ears.” This rule alone can transform the way we speak about others and protect us from gossip.
James reminds us of the inconsistency of praising God while cursing others with the same mouth. It’s hypocritical to bless God and then use that same tongue to tear down our neighbors. As justified believers—people who’ve been made right with God—our words must consistently reflect the grace we’ve been given. True discipleship means aligning our speech with our faith. Every word we speak should reflect God’s love, grace, and truth. That includes the casual conversations we have with friends, the words we say when we’re frustrated, and even our responses to gossip.
What does this look like in real life? Simple to state, hard to put into action. James warns us that “the tongue is hard to tame!” We’ve all been there—words fly out of our mouths before we’ve even had a chance to think. A careless comment, a frustrated remark, a thoughtless joke—each of these moments has the power to wound or to build up, and once spoken, those words can’t be taken back. The tongue, small as it is, can do great damage when not kept in check.
And yet, as believers, we are not left on our own. Our words ought be a reflection of the faith we proclaim, rooted in the love of God and guided by the Holy Spirit. With every conversation, ask for wisdom, ask for strength, ask for the grace to ensure that what we say builds, not breaks. Remember, it is through the words we speak that the light of Christ shines most brightly. God is in every breath, and it is through our words that his love becomes real to others. When we speak with kindness, compassion, and integrity, we embody the work of Jesus, who came not to condemn but to bring life and hope.
But we can’t do this on our own. The truth is, we need the Holy Spirit—the only one who can truly tame the tongue. It’s the Spirit who gives us the strength to hold back a harmful word and the wisdom to speak life when we’re tempted to lash out. In the moments when it’s hardest to control the tongue, seek the Spirit for guidance. When words can wound, choose to heal. When words can divide, choose to unite. And so pray that the Spirit tame your tongue to reflect the grace you’ve been given, and the love that has no end.
With the Spirit’s guidance of temperance and self-control, and a healthy dose of prayer along the way on our part, we do well to think how we should speak—or perhaps, if we shouldn’t speak. Silence can be powerful, and often, it’s the right way. That’s why it’s important to pause before speaking. Take a moment and consider whether your words will build up or tear down.
Another helpful practice: filter your speech through grace. Ask yourself, “Am I speaking in a way that reflects Christ’s grace?” Commit to speaking words of encouragement and blessing. Luther’s insight from the catechism provides a guiding principle: defend others, speak well of them, and interpret their actions in the best possible light. This way of speaking not only reflects love for our neighbor but also builds a community of trust and grace.
Our words matter. Our words hold incredible power. They can bless or they can curse. They can lift someone up or tear them down. God calls us to use this power to speak life, to speak truth, to speak grace. And so we pray that the Spirit tame our tongue to reflect the same grace we have graciously been given. For in the end, the words we speak today will echo in the hearts of others tomorrow. Speak love. Speak life. Speak as one who knows God walks with you, guiding you in every word, every step.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Rev'd Daniel W. Spigelmyer, Jr. 