James 3 -08.25.22
SCRIPTURE: James 3:2 TPT
“We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we’re able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed.”
OBSERVATION:
An instruction book for the Christian Life—and as Pastor Levi termed his series, “Our Faith LOOKS like Something”.
UNDERSTANDING:
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones but WORDS will NEVER hurt me”.
This was a popular saying when I was a child. Have you ever heard something so FILLED with LIES?
I’m 66 yrs old and I still remember hurtful things spoken to me when I was 9 yrs old. Words in fact Hurt! Sometimes we pretend they don’t. This is like putting a bandage on a dirty wound. It will fester and become diseased—causing more damage.
But, WORDS can also—BUILD UP!
a small word of encouragement OR a simple compliment can lift a person’s soul in a way that few other things can.
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23 KJV)
Here, James explains that our tongues are a “test” of our Maturity.
James proceeds to teach about the tongue’s power direct with an analogy of a horse’s bit and a Ship’s rudder.
When we put a small bit into a horse’s mouth we can turn the whole animal. Try to control a 1200 lb. thoroughbred horse without a bit and there may be a serious problem. Yet, put a simple small one pound bit in the mouth of that same horse—and you can direct the horse to go where you want it to go.
The same goes for the rudder of a Ship. Although Ships are massive and driven by strong winds—they are steered by a very small rudder.
So, the tongue is very small—like a bit in a horse’s mouth and a rudder on a Ship—AND it has GREAT POWER to steer not only our lives- but the lives of those around us who are impacted by our words.
“The tongue has the Power of LIFE and DEATH, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
LIFE APPLICATION:
James tells us in 3:8 that it is impossible for us to “tame” our tongues. Our ability to control our words must start in our heart.
“People are known in this same way.
Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit.
Likewise, out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil.
For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart
will be seen by your fruit AND
will be HEARD in your WORDS.” (Luke 6:45 TPT)
Lord Jesus,
I pray YOU will cleanse my heart and continue to grow me to maturity. Your Word promises YOU will complete the good work YOU began in me. May I be fully submitted to the process. Lord, I pray good and wholesome words used for edifying others will come from me. Forgive me Lord for any time I have spoken out of turn or have offended YOU for speaking anything unpleasing YOU. May my Heart be wholly Yours. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka