Tame Your Tongue.
December 20, 2020
Just Do It, Part 12
People love to talk. Our words are a dead giveaway as to who we are. But more than just revealing what’s inside, our speech determines where we go. It sets a course of life for us. The tongue, perhaps more than any other part of our body, reveals what our spiritual condition is.
“The course of our lives often rests on our ability to tame our tongues.”
Scripture:
James 3:1-12
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.
Highlights:
• A person’s tongue can be a true indicator of the health in the rest of a person’s body.
• The tongue, perhaps more than any other part of our body, reveals what our spiritual condition is.
• The tongue has the power to control my life.
• If I want to bring my whole spiritual life into control, I ought to work on my tongue.
• The tongue has the power to do great damage to others.
• You can sin with your mouth anytime, anywhere, anyplace.
•Our words can bring comfort, create love, spread joy, encouragement, comfort, healing, and salvation. Our words can change lives.
•The tongue has the power to destroy me.
•We shape our words, and then our words shape us.
• The course of our lives often rests on our ability to tame our tongues.
