James 3 continues with the theme of proving my faith.
James takes several verses in this chapter to talk about the tongue. The tongue. Oh, it's such a small part of our body, but capable of great things. It can destroy and kill or it can encourage and build up. It's scary how much power is in this small muscle. James likens it to a spark. It only takes a spark to start a forest fire. So it is with the tongue, it only takes a word or a couple of words to start a fire. James states that the tongue can corrupt a person and ruin his/her life. In turn, it can also ruin other's lives as well. Unfortunately, it doesn't take much. One moment we find ourselves praising God, and the next moment speaking mean words to someone..."this should not be." (v9-10) Taking the flip side of this, however, the tongue can also be used mightily for God. The tongue can start a fire for God. It can be used to share what God's done with other people. It can be used to encourage and build others up. Paul admonishes us to "encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
I so often catch myself saying something that I regret. A while ago on Facebook, I came across a poster that I loved so much I printed up and hung up in our kitchen:
Before you speak, THINK
T - is it true?
How will I use my tongue today? Will I use it to start a fire that could destroy or will I use it to start a fire for God? If I have used my tongue to start a fire that destroys, I need to stop that fire before it grows larger. I should go to that person(s) with whom I lit the spark and quench it.
In the last six verses of chapter 3, James goes on to talk about two type of wisdom, earthly and heavenly. He describes earthly wisdom as unspiritual, of the devil. It exhibits itself in "bitter envy and selfish ambition." Wisdom from above is characterized as "pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (v17) The good fruit, I believe refers to the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control."
When I am filled with wisdom from above, it will manifest itself in my words and actions. What type of wisdom is exhibited by my words and actions?
As a Christian, I must be careful of my speech and actions toward others.
James takes several verses in this chapter to talk about the tongue. The tongue. Oh, it's such a small part of our body, but capable of great things. It can destroy and kill or it can encourage and build up. It's scary how much power is in this small muscle. James likens it to a spark. It only takes a spark to start a forest fire. So it is with the tongue, it only takes a word or a couple of words to start a fire. James states that the tongue can corrupt a person and ruin his/her life. In turn, it can also ruin other's lives as well. Unfortunately, it doesn't take much. One moment we find ourselves praising God, and the next moment speaking mean words to someone..."this should not be." (v9-10) Taking the flip side of this, however, the tongue can also be used mightily for God. The tongue can start a fire for God. It can be used to share what God's done with other people. It can be used to encourage and build others up. Paul admonishes us to "encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
I so often catch myself saying something that I regret. A while ago on Facebook, I came across a poster that I loved so much I printed up and hung up in our kitchen:
Before you speak, THINK
T - is it true?
H - is it helpful?
I - is it inspiring?
N - is it necessary?
K - is it kind?
You know, it only takes a couple of extra seconds to think before speaking, yet I find that in the heat of the moment, when I'm frustrated or upset, I don't take those extra seconds. Then I find myself regretting my words. I have to remind myself to take a deep breath and think before speaking. We've all started fires that destroy with our tongues. The important thing to remember, however, is I need to go put that fire out before it grows any larger.
In the last six verses of chapter 3, James goes on to talk about two type of wisdom, earthly and heavenly. He describes earthly wisdom as unspiritual, of the devil. It exhibits itself in "bitter envy and selfish ambition." Wisdom from above is characterized as "pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (v17) The good fruit, I believe refers to the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control."
When I am filled with wisdom from above, it will manifest itself in my words and actions. What type of wisdom is exhibited by my words and actions?
As a Christian, I must be careful of my speech and actions toward others.
Hits so close to home!
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