The Tongue
James 3:5-8
[5] Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! [6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. [7] For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: [8] But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
I hate you! Why can’t you act like…! You’re stupid!
I could go on and on, but have you ever said any of these phrases or others? Things that we say out of anger or frustration possibly. How often do we just fly off the handle so to speak and say first things that come to mind? As it says in these verses, the tongue is little, but has great consequences when not controlled. No we will not tame it, it tells us that in vs 8. However, what about a little self control with God’s help? Sometimes that is easy. Maybe telling someone they look better in one thing over another. Telling them you like something they make so they’ll bring that over the thing you thought was nasty. These are times when we think and can use self control. What about when angry or upset about something, or maybe someone has disappointed you? None of us are perfect, and there are no Holy Ghost Jrs. around so it’s not going to be easy all the time.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
However, instead of that cursing or tearing someone down, have you ever tried a different approach? You ever told someone that you are mad or disappointed in them so you are going to spend some time with God on how to handle the situation? We have relationships that have taken years to build, and with one sentence we can tear that down! I’m afraid too often we believe we know what’s best, and think we are the authority over everything. This causes us to just say what’s on our mind and not give a second thought to what we say. When was last time God talked to us that way? Yes He will show me things in my life that are wrong, and He will show me those need corrected. He won’t degrade me, nor put me down. God will show us these things out of love.
What controls your tongue today? THE Holy Spirit or your haughty spirit?
God bless you today!
Bro. Josh Richardson
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