Dear Diary,
So, I am more like a #Motormouth; an incessant talker! Am taking this journey because I am consciously aware that life and death are in the power of my tongue.
Day 2
James 3:1-12 is an extensive and single most sustained discussion about the use of the tongue. Surprisingly, “Not many of you should become teachers my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness,” v.1. Why is it so? Well, what a teacher says has weight and potential influence and thus requires canon judgment and accountability. James tells us that mastery of tongue is a sign of maturity. He doesn’t talk like a perfect man though, “We all stumble in many ways. …and if anyone does not offend in speech, he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature,” v.2. Eer, am not anywhere close to this level of maturity!
The Disproportionate Power of the Tongue
• The tongue is like a bit in the mouth of a horse, v.3. The tiny object is able to control the massive muscle and energy of the horse and to give it a sense of direction.
• The tongue is like a rudder in a boat/ship, v. 4. Such a capacious and heavy vessel is directed by a small steering apparatus wherever the helmsman determines.
• Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! The tongue is powerful indeed!
• The tongue is like a bit in the mouth of a horse, v.3. The tiny object is able to control the massive muscle and energy of the horse and to give it a sense of direction.
• The tongue is like a rudder in a boat/ship, v. 4. Such a capacious and heavy vessel is directed by a small steering apparatus wherever the helmsman determines.
• Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! The tongue is powerful indeed!
An unregenerate tongue is a crater of death
- Consider these vivid pictures. The tongue is:
1. A Fire, v. 6. A small uncontrolled spark can destroy a vast forest, so it is with a callous word and/or a loose phrase/sentence, it can consume and destroy a life! The energy source for such destruction is itself ignited from hell! Ouch!
2. A world of unrighteousness, v. 6.
3. A restless evil, v.8. The unregenerate tongue roves around and is swift to attack.
4. A deadly poison, v. 8. Suddenly or gradually, the venom of snakes, asps, scorpions eats away or destroys life, that’s so with the unregenerate tongue!
5. Contradictory in nature, v.10-12. The unregenerate tongue is the most contradictory thing in nature. With it we bless God and at the same time we curse people who are made in the image of God, v. 10. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. But this should not be so! “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? … can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water,” v.11-12.
- Consider these vivid pictures. The tongue is:
1. A Fire, v. 6. A small uncontrolled spark can destroy a vast forest, so it is with a callous word and/or a loose phrase/sentence, it can consume and destroy a life! The energy source for such destruction is itself ignited from hell! Ouch!
2. A world of unrighteousness, v. 6.
3. A restless evil, v.8. The unregenerate tongue roves around and is swift to attack.
4. A deadly poison, v. 8. Suddenly or gradually, the venom of snakes, asps, scorpions eats away or destroys life, that’s so with the unregenerate tongue!
5. Contradictory in nature, v.10-12. The unregenerate tongue is the most contradictory thing in nature. With it we bless God and at the same time we curse people who are made in the image of God, v. 10. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. But this should not be so! “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? … can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water,” v.11-12.
Resolution
“But no man can tame the tongue, v. 8?” Yes, no man can tame the tongue on his own will power. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit within me to control the tongue! As I cleave to Him and yield to Him in obedience, He controls my tongue. As I begin this 40-Day Challenge of learning to zip it, I pray that the Holy Spirit will control my tongue; I pray that He will convict me of any sinful/offensive word and will enable me to repent.
“But no man can tame the tongue, v. 8?” Yes, no man can tame the tongue on his own will power. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit within me to control the tongue! As I cleave to Him and yield to Him in obedience, He controls my tongue. As I begin this 40-Day Challenge of learning to zip it, I pray that the Holy Spirit will control my tongue; I pray that He will convict me of any sinful/offensive word and will enable me to repent.
R,
Nzakunashipae
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