James 3:1-12
Tuesday, 3 November 2020
For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. -James 3:2 NLT
God’s Word is relevant for all times and for all of life’s varied aspects up to eternity. It speaks to our entire being- spirit, soul and body and speaks of even every part of our body. In today’s reading the focus is on one part of our body– the tongue.
Type of Tongue God loves:
Praying tongue:
In 1Thessalonians 5:17, God wants us to pray continually without ceasing.
Blessing tongue:
In 1Peter 3:9, God wants us to bless even those who do evil to us.
Edifying & Encouraging tongue:
Ephesians 4:29 says that our words should bring grace to the hearers.
Preaching tongue:
2Timothy 4:2 says that we should be ready to preach in and out of season.
Witnessing tongue:
In Acts 22:15, God wants us to be His witness to all men.
Type of Tongue God hates:
Lying tongue:
Proverbs 6:17 says God hates a lying tongue and all liars will have their part in the lake of fire Rev 21:8
Talkative tongue:
Ecclesiastes 5:2,3 points out that our words should be few because fools multiply their words.
Swift tongue:
James 1:19 tells us we should be swift to hear and slow to speak and Proverbs 18:13 says its folly to answer a matter before hearing.
Gossiping /Tale bearing tongue:
In Leviticus 19:16, God warns us not to go about as talebearers because the words of talebearers are like wounds (Proverbs 18:8)
Angry / Cursing / Abusive tongue:
In Col. 3:8 God commands us to put off filthy language out of your mouth.
Let us test ourselves to see what type of tongue we have. If you have anyone type which God hates, its time to admit our mistakes and correct them. Accept the fact that you cannot tame your tongue (James3:8) and yield it to God. Only the power of God can tame your tongue!
Dear friends, so be very careful when you speak because in Matthew 12:37 Christ Jesus clearly says that by your words you will be justified or by your words you will be condemned. And Matthew 12:34 clearly points out the direct connection between our hearts and our mouths. When the heart is filled, it overflows through the mouth, and that overflow tells us the real condition of the heart. If the heart is good, the words that come from the mouth will be good. But if the words that come from the mouth are evil, the heart is evil.
When Paul and Silas were preaching in Macedonia, they delivered a slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination. As a result, her masters seized Paul and Silas, charged them, chained and imprisoned them. They were chained but with their mouths they started praying and singing hymns to God which led the keeper of prisoners, to salvation and later their release. The limitation of imprisonment did not limit Paul from praising God and preaching the gospel! Today if you feel chained by circumstances beyond your control and impeded by the things around you, start praising God and praying for God’s intervention!
What is our reaction when we come across the troubles or difficulties in life? Do we sit and worry, argue, murmur, question God or do we open our mouth to praise Him and worship Him? If your heart is full of His mercies, His forgiveness, His redemption, His righteousness that is given freely then definitely your mouth will declare His works!!
Prayer: Dear God, I cannot control my tongue on my own: I yield it to You. Give me a tongue that glorifies You! Amen
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