Good morning,
This week we continue our study of the book of James.
Chapter three explains the dangers of the tongue and earthly and heavenly wisdom.
The Jewish believers in James’s day were being persecuted. They had been driven out of Jerusalem and were scattered abroad. James encourages those scattered Jewish believers on how to conduct themselves during this time.
James 3
The uncontrolled tongue is destructive v 6-12
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”
James tells us that the tongue defiles the whole body. He explains that all other living creatures can be tamed by man. The tongue can no man tame. The tongue is unruly and full of deadly poison.
With the tongue, we bless God and curse man. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (10) James challenges his hearers to speak blessings, not cursings.
What can we learn from this?
Do not speak impulsively. Wait, consider, think, control, what we say. When we say it, it cannot be retrieved! We want what we say to bless others, not to hurt them. By the way, that is what we want others to do to us.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
Is our speech blessing others? Are we an encouragement? Does our speech focus on Godly things, as opposed to the things of this world?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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