THE TONGUE! THAT UNRULY MEMBER!
Some people possess nasty tongues they are bent upon destruction.
Your tongue possesses great power. It can totally destroy another person’s life and reputation. It also can be the instrument used of God to raise a person to great heights through wonderful words of encouragement.
James warn us, that we cannot tame our tongue. We can tame any wild creature but not our tongue.
It is not an ability that you and I possess in our own power. Your tongue is more powerful than you are.
James goes further by saying … Your words and how you say them are not only untamable but they are a “Restless Evil.” Have you suffered from the affects of a nasty tongue?
Your own tongue is also restless and you want to tear them apart with words. Have you impulsively “let them have it” and later regret what you said?
That is what I call a “restless tongue.”
The Greek word, he uses for restless comes from the word, ,”ARASTATOS” which means “UNSTABLE” and is also used to describe, “THE UNSTABLE MAN.” James 1:8.
Your tongue is an instrument of very powerful words. They will strike without focus or thought or clear intent.
When these snake- like words strike, they are full of deadly venom,(poison), someone who talks in a spiteful cruel and malicious way.
Do you possess a venomous tongue?
We all should face this as many people can be damaged by our words.
The Indians in the old western movies we used to watch would accuse the white man of speaking with a “falk tongue”
This means speaking one thing and meaning another. It is deceitful, dishonest, and hypocritical.
James spells out the same thing. You can’t drink sweet and bitter water from the same fountain!
You can say one thing and mean another thing contrary to the first thing. You can use your tongue for harm or good in one sentence. Positive and negative.
I hate to say it but, your and my tongue are uncontrollably hurtful and very powerful.
James is not suggesting that our physical tongue – the flap of muscle in your mouth, created by God, is evil.
We have a heart 💜 condition spiritually. See Luke 6:45.
“IT IS OUT OF OUR HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS “
Your words reveal who you really are as a Christian.
So we must know that “only God” can control our tongues.
Just as your actions reveal your faith, so do your words reveal your heart.
You may wonder why you cannot tame your tongue. Because only God can tame your sinful nature by His Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The horse can be tamed by a “Bit” laced in it’s mouth.
The bit is a piece of metal that fits into the mouth of a horse and aids communication betweeen the rider and the horse. It can direct the horse to turn, change it’s gait sideways or stop altogether.
It was never meant to punish him, rather to help and to guide him.
Proverbs 18:21,
“THERE IS LIFE AND DEATH IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE. “
LIFE WORDS!
DEATH WORDS!
It is a study in itself to note the positive and negative words that we speak over ourselves and over others. The affects can be devastating.
Listen to yourself, as you speak, please don’t run yourself down. You will become that person you speak into being.
OVER-TALKING SOMEONE!
Nothing irritates me more when a person will not allow me to speak in a two-way conversation. It is a selfish controlling relationship that squelches the other person’s personality.
Or when a person talks incessantly about themselves and cannot shut up, all you hear is, “I”, “ME” “MY.”
Or when they gossip about others, or complain about their illnesses constantly.
Or when they look away from you when you try to communicate.
Or the person has something against you and dresses you down in front of others.
They have no evidence or facts to back up their accusations. They speak from the top of their head without a thought of your feelings or reputation. You cannot defend yourself as you cannot get a word in at all.
I used to tolerate it… But not any more… l walk away! If I apologize for myself and be nice just to have peace. I am still under their control and give them the chance to manipulate me again.
Of course we have to forgive but we do not bow to narcissism.
How destructive our tongues can become if we do not surrender them to the Lord.
A good thing to do to with all those negative words is to replace them with the Word of God. Memorize verses that will reprogramme your mind so when you are verbally attacked you have an answer of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
“A SOFT ANSWER TURNS AWAY WRATH.”
If there is no response, then as I said before…
WALK AWAY!!
We are instructed, “Don’t keep company with an angry man.”
Live in freedom and find godly friends who will love and treat you with respect.
You don’t have to tread on glass around people, so you don’t offend them. Walk away!
Choose wisely your friends and enjoy one another. That is a relationship that is ordained by God.
WHAT WOULD IT DO TO YOUR FAITH IF JESUS AND GOD COULD NOT GET ON?
Be wise in all your choices, always seeking God’s Will and your life will flow without conflict.
Let’s pray together now and ask the Lord to change us into His likeness and image.
“Father, I now give you my unruly, abrupt tongue. Please forgive my harsh and hateful words. Please let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be accountable in your sight, oh God.”
Amen.
“Love one another with a pure heart fervently”
I pray that as a result there will be Broken relationships mended. That unrighteous behavior ceases in the Name of Jesus. That the Church will be a place of refuge for the hurting unloved person.
If you need advice or counsel for a difficult marriage, contact me on my Email address. heatherdalzell777@Gmail.com
Feel free to encourage someone with a comment. Heather Dalzell SMS 0417 545 814.
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0417545814.🌺
Oh so pretty!
Light in the Darkness! 