In the Likeness of GOD

It is hard to believe I waited this long to do my devotions. It is almost lunch! But I am glad I did them because, what do you know, God is speaking. When He speaks life is poured out and also sometimes conviction. Today it was more of the latter... The verses I read today are found in James 3:5-9. Verses 5-8 are talking about the tongue and how powerful it is. James says that it is like a fire from hell. But verse nine is what really impacted me, it said,

 "With it (the tongue) we bless our Lord and Father,

 and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God." 

And the thought hit me, "Who are we that we even begin to speak slander about someone who is made exactly like God? We too, are made exactly the same way." The Lord designed something that was perfect and sin entered and corrupted it.  Now we as human beings tend to look only at the corruption and not at the wonderful creation that God made. We pick apart each other like we are a salad or something and we toss aside people who don't measure up to our standard. But how wrong is that!? That we would become the world's judges and decide what is right or what is acceptable. Only God is good, only He can judge. I believe that the curse in  this verse isn't only talking about speaking actual curses but when we talk about others in a way that does not honor them, even if the only honor that they have is that they are made in the likeness of God.
Immediately another thought followed, "How many times have I cursed (not treated with respect) people, today? This week? This month?"  I am sad, because I know that I have done this, even today.... With my sisters speaking a harsh word. It makes me want to cry because I want so badly to be living the way that the Lord wants me to, but I fail so often! I let him down where He has never to me. It makes me think of a chorus of Matt Mahr's song "Lord I Need You"

Lord I need You, oh I need You

Every hour I need You

My one defense, My righteousness

Oh God, How I need You!

Oh I need you Lord! Please help me to live a life that pleases you!