…but god James 3: 6-10
Transcript
“And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.”
James 3:6-10 NASB2020
When it comes to our witness for Christ our words and our actions are equal parts. Put another way our words should match our actions. I had a coach (not a very good one) once say to me “do as I say, not as I do.” Not a very reassuring thing for a coach to say. (By the way the things he said were not very good either). It’s no wonder that team went 0-20. It was one of two losing teams that I have ever been involved with as a player or a coach in 45+ years of playing and coaching. His actions and words did not match up. This is why James says “But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” The only way we tame the tongue is through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can’t do it alone, we can’t quit saying bad words or doing things that are against God’s law. The apostle Paul in Romans writes “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
Romans 3:23-26 NASB2020
The only way we tame the tongue and become what God had called us to be is through the power of His Holy Spirit. That is why our actions and deeds do not come from selfish ambition, for we cannot do enough good trying to get to heaven. That is why when the people of Israel
ask God what He wanted from them in the book of Micah He explains what He needs from us “¶With what shall I come to the Lord And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Does the Lord take pleasure in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give Him my firstborn for my wrongdoings, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:6-8 NASB2020
I will reiterate, the only way we can please the Lord and do those those things is through the power of the Holy Spirit! Do not try to do this alone. God calls us to be encouraged through worship, through His Holy word and by the fellowship with other followers of Christ. Therefore, let us be in His word, seek the fellowship of others and worship and love Him with all heart, mind, soul and strength.
Lord God we thank you for your forgiveness and your salvation. Help us to rely on the power of your Holy Spirit who lives and dwells in us. Help us to use the strength and the tools you have given us to tame our tongue and act according to your good, pleasing and perfect will. In Jesus Name Amen…
Shalom, Shalom Blessings. Press In and Press On!
Hosted by Chad McBeam
