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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness Gal 5:22 |
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Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Today's Passage : Today's Passage:The Power of the Tongue Bible Verse:James 3:1-5 "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things." Message:
The first chapter of James develops the theme of the tests and trials of faith. It encourages us to gain a proper perspective so that we can respond to these trials with wisdom. The second chapter illustrates the first and exhorts us to unify belief and behavior in our lives.
At first glance, James 3 seems to have little to do with the first two chapters, but a closer look reveals that it is actually a specific application of the needed unity between faith and works. This chapter concentrates on what is simultaneously the most valuable and dangerous member of the human body--the tongue.
Our speech is perhaps the clearest index of our moral and spiritual character: For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart (Luke 6:44-45).
Whimsical creature from illuminated Bible
Chapter three begins with a warning to those who wish to be teachers of the Word. “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment” (Jas. 3:1). The church needs teachers, and the Spirit of God endows certain believers with this spiritual gift. But it is tempting to desire this position for the wrong reasons, and our Lord often denounced those who became religious leaders to gain prestige and authority. Those who aspire to be teachers should examine their motives and calling, knowing that they will be held accountable for what they say. Because of the power and influence of the teaching ministry, there is a real possibility of leading others astray.
As James says, all of us make mistakes, and this is especially true in the things that we say. “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well” (Jas. 3:2). Mastery over one's speech is a mark of true maturity, because no other area of life is as difficult to control.
James strengthens his point with a string of analogies. The first two relate to the power of the tongue in proportion to its size. “Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things” (Jas. 3:3-5a). Control the bit and the rudder, small as they are, and you control the horse and the ship. In the same way, the tongue can direct the course of a person's life and exert great influence on the lives of others.
Dr. Boa is devoted to a ministry of relational evangelism and discipleship, teaching, writing, and speaking. He holds a B.S. in astronomy from Case Institute of Technology, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Ph.D. from New York University, and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in England. I highly recommend a visit to his website, KenBoa.org, which is filled with free videos, written commentary, newsletters, etc.
Meditation : Prayer : The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant; Make me perfect in every good work to do your will, working in me that which is well pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever......Amen |
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