10.15.2007

Watch Your Mouth. James 3:3-12

My mouth got me into a lot of trouble when I was a kid (it still does occasionally, even today). The words you speak or write can have a huge impact on your life. This is true in the way that I'm sure most of you are thinking, like if you talk back to your boss or parents you will likely not enjoy the consequences. However, it's also true in other situations where we don't normally consider our words to have as much power. Like when an acquaintance asks us to do something we know we shouldn't do. We don't always understand the power of the word "no" in that situation. We don't see the power of the words we've been speaking up to that point that has given them the impression we are something we're not. Use your words well and use them wisely. Tame that tongue of yours and make it your master. It can come in real handy.

James 3:3-12
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or 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. 5Likewise 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. 6The 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.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

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