Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 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. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:1-12
I will never forget Pastor Jim saying that wisdom is the application of knowledge (God's Word). It's one thing to know the scriptures, it's another to live them. The bible tells us that out of the heart, the mouth speaks. What is in my heart? My daily actions and words can show you. I am convicted sitting here today that often times my meditation is self seeking. As I ponder all of the damage my own tongue has caused, I remind my self of scriptures related to this very subject.
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
With our words, we can either lift one up or break them down. We can encourage or discourage. If we believe in teaching by one's own example, I ask myself are my words, actions and responses to life bringing God glory or are they self absorbed?
By not taming our tongue, our words can breed negativity and can create self doubt in others. By taming our tongue we can sow seeds of faith and Godly perspective.
Lord, my desire is to be found faithful in your eyes. Thank you for your words of truth and guidance. You have not forsaken us Lord. You are good and gracious and your Will for us is to earn the fruits of the Spirit through meditation, wisdom and obedience. I ask that you would forgive me for my lack of obedience to your scriptures. That I could repair the damage I have caused with my tongue, a small but dangerous member of my body when not held in check. I pray your Grace be over me on this subject today and always. Amen.
Lonnie on January 31, 2017 at 10:42 pm
I spent some in James, recently. He describes the tongue all too well. The smallness compared to its power is almost unfathomable. And yes, as you say, it reveals what is in our heart. I should! Ephesians 4:29 is a verse I have committed to memory. It stops me sometimes; hope that sometimes grows to more times. Thank you for your thoughts. Much needed.
Lonnie
litasue on February 7, 2017 at 1:43 am
Hi Lonnie,
Thank you for your post. I’m glad this spoke to you in some way. You are certainly not alone on the path of the narrow. I’m learning what it really means to die to ones self and live in Christ. I remind myself to live in His Grace and that He is faithful to complete the work He’s begun. Best, Melissa