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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I struggle with anger and my tongue follows. When I get angry, I rattle off everything bad in my mind, pointing at others who enrage me. Then I get home and suffer terrible guilt. I was brought up in a rather strict home but filled with love. Why can’t I conquer this? – C.T.

A: Scripture says that we smite with the tongue. “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature” (James 3:6, NKJV). We must take this little muscle in the mouth and nail it to the cross.

We must take inventory of our lives – how we conduct ourselves before others and most of all before a holy God. As Christians, when we fail to live up to God’s standard, this little thing called the conscience speaks to us, convicts us, and gives us the opportunity to bow before the Savior and repent and turn from our sin and live for Him.

God’s Holy Spirit resides in His people and we are to discipline ourselves to be obedient to His Word. He gives us the strength to do this if we humble ourselves before Him, admitting our weakness, and resolving to conduct ourselves in a way that brings Him glory and honor. We’re called to live Spirit-filled lives, producing the fruit of the Spirit of God. Having our hearts cleansed by the blood of Christ, having submitted and yielded every area of our lives to Him, we can be victorious over sins that trouble us.

The Bible says much about the mind. God will keep us in perfect peace when our minds are on Him. We should make it a habit to center our minds on the person of Christ. Love for Him drives us to worship and obey Him.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.