DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
JULY 27, 2026
READ: James 1 (Focus 19-21)
MEMORY VERSE
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19
BACKGROUND
My friend, Alex, a book editor, checked his inbox, anticipating an angry email from an author. He’d been working with a prominent business leader on the client’s manuscript for months. Unexpectedly, the publisher had decided to halt the publication of the book due to company problems.
After emailing the author the bad news, Alex braced himself.
A week later a reply came. “I didn’t answer right away because I wanted to think first about my words and how to respond,” the author wrote. He expressed disappointment, then calmly stated how he thought the publisher could’ve handled the issue.
The author’s wise, measured response left a deep impression on me. His behavior reflected what the Bible says our communication should be like, especially when we’re angry.
The apostle James tells us to keep “a tight rein on [our] tongues” because it’s easy to sin with our words (James 1:26; see 3:5-6). We’re to prioritize listening to others so we can understand them, choose our words, and consider whether it’s necessary to get angry (1:19).
Not only does restraint in speech help us to avoid sin and allow the Scriptures to change us (v. 21), but it also reflects who God is to others: “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8). Let’s model our loving God with our words—and our silences.
Karen Huang
INSIGHT
The book of James cycles through a handful of themes that are introduced in the first chapter and revisited throughout the letter. One of these themes is the tongue, which James compares to a rudder, a fire, a horse’s bit, and poison (3:1-12).
The tongue is important to monitor, especially for teachers (vv. 1-2). It’s also difficult to tame, he says, and rare is the person who has control over it (v. 8). How refreshing it is, then, when a person is “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (1:19).
Words that honor God are like a spring of water that overflows with “praise” rather than “cursing” (3:9-10) and “[produces] the righteousness God desires” (1:20).
This kind of righteous life is characterized by heavenly wisdom that’s “first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (3:17-18).
Tim Laniak*
APPLICATION
When angered, how can you restrain your communication? How do your words reflect your faith?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Not only does restraint in speech help us to avoid sin and allow the Scriptures to change us…but it also reflects who God is to others: “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love”…Let’s model our loving God with our words—and our silences.
PR’s TAKE
“Your words matter. Choose them carefully” Simon Porter
“And, yes, words matter. They may reflect reality, but they also have the power to change reality – the power to to uplift and to abase.’ William Raspberry
PRAYER
“Wise Father, please help me to be quick to listen, and slow to speak and become angry.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WORDS” Donald Lawrence
The power of life and death lies within our words
I encourage you to be mindful of your words
Words
Our words
Realize the power of our words
Mm, words
Our words
The harm we can do with our words
So, let the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be acceptable in the Father’s sight
May the words I speak touch somebody’s life
That’s my prayer
Words (My words)
Our words (If only we would)
Realize the power of our words (Oh)
Words
Our words (Oh)
The harm we can do with our words
So, let the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be acceptable in the Father’s sight
May the words I speak
May the words I speak
Let it touch somebody
Touch somebody’s life
Oh, God, that is my prayer
So, I won’t harm you with my words
But, I’ll encourage you with my words
I won’t harm you, no, no, with my words
But, I’ll encourage you with my words
I won’t harm you
I won’t do you no harm with my words
With my words (Never, no, no)
Encourage you
…I’ll use my words, I’ll encourage you
With my words…
I won’t harm you…
I’m gonna use my words to encourage you…
With my words…
Whatever is good…
Whatever is pleasant,
Whatever will help you,
Whatever will push you
With my words
That’s what I choose
(To) Encourage you…
To help you,
To heal you
To build you up
To push you forward
With my words…
With my words…
So, let the words of my mouth
And every meditation of my heart
Let it be acceptable, God
You’re my Father,
I want it to be pleasing in Your sight, oh
May the words I speak (I speak)
Touch somebody’s life
Let the words I speak
Remind you you’re a winner, oh…
May my words…
Touch somebody’s life…
Build you up forever,
Let the words I speak
Remind you of everything God’s put inside of you…
