Watch what you say
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his 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 person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man 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 men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:2-10
In a nutshell James states watch what you say. Your tongue can get you into trouble. All of us know this. There have been time in all our lives I’m certain when we have said the wrong thing at the wrong time and got ourselves in trouble.
In my previous blog post I noted James as saying,
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19.
As Christians we are ambassadors for Christ Jesus. We are His representatives on this earth therefore we should be careful about everything we do. Especially about what we say.
As believers in Christ Jesus we have an important responsibility given to us by Jesus himself, Jesus telling us
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
It is because of this command that we must control our tongue. It is because of this command that we must be careful as to what we say.
As someone has said
“A spotlight is on the life of anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ. People see Jesus through the lense of our life. Our words and deeds can just as easily bring a soul to Christ Jesus as turn them away.”
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus take time to look at your words and deeds today. Are they pointing someone to Jesus or turning them away?
Please think about it?
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his 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 person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man 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 men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:2-10
In a nutshell James states watch what you say. Your tongue can get you into trouble. All of us know this. There have been time in all our lives I’m certain when we have said the wrong thing at the wrong time and got ourselves in trouble.
In my previous blog post I noted James as saying,
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19.
As Christians we are ambassadors for Christ Jesus. We are His representatives on this earth therefore we should be careful about everything we do. Especially about what we say.
As believers in Christ Jesus we have an important responsibility given to us by Jesus himself, Jesus telling us
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
It is because of this command that we must control our tongue. It is because of this command that we must be careful as to what we say.
As someone has said
“A spotlight is on the life of anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ. People see Jesus through the lense of our life. Our words and deeds can just as easily bring a soul to Christ Jesus as turn them away.”
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus take time to look at your words and deeds today. Are they pointing someone to Jesus or turning them away?
Please think about it?
