Taming the Tongue
From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. -James 3:10
The fountain provides cool water that man needs to stay alive. Man needs water not only for drinking, but also for washing, coooking, farming, and a host of other activities.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. -Proverbs 18:4
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life. -Provebs 10:11
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. -Proverbs 13:14
These verses parallel what James has written and underscore the importance of our words.
Water is life-giving, and our words can give life. However, if water is not controlled, it brings death and destruction. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. -Proverbs 18:21
Water also cleanses. Our words to others can also help to cleanse and sanctify them.
The tongue is delightful because it is like a tree. Trees help to hold down the soil; they provide beauty and shade; and they bear fruit. Our words can help to shelter and encourage a weary traveler, and can help to feed a hungry soul. As we share His word with others, we feed them and encourage them along the way.
Like a trees root system which goes down deep, if we are rooted in the things of the Lord, then our words will be the fruit of our fellowship with Him. We must spend time in His Word, pray and allow the Spirit to fill our hearts and minds.
But James issued a warning: a fountain cannot give forth two kinds of water, and a tree cannot bear two different kinds of fruit. If the tongue is inconsistent, there is something radically wrong with the heart.
The tongue that blesses the Father, and then turns around and curses men made in God's image, is in desperate need of spiritual medicine!
The problem is not the tongue; it is the heart. "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile man." -Matthew 15:18
The fruit we show is the result of who we are. If we have control over our tongue, then we have control over our self. The tongue can have tremendous power, for either good or evil. (David Guzik)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. -James 3:17
This will allow us to bring peace and not conflict. We will show other people our faith is genuine when what comes out of our mouths demonstrates that God is living inside of us. (Kay Arthur D4Y, James)
There are "Twelve Words That Can Transform Your Life". If you use them sincerely and mean them from your heart, God will use you to be a blessing and encouragement to others.
"Please" and "Thank You"
"I'm sorry"
"I love you"
"I'm praying for you"
The smallest but largest troublemaker in all the world is the tongue. But God can use the tongue to lead others into the way of life and to delight them in the trials of life.
Give God your heart and tongue each day and ask Him to use you to be a blessing to others.
-From The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: New Testament; by Warren Wiersbe; pp. 869-870
The fountain provides cool water that man needs to stay alive. Man needs water not only for drinking, but also for washing, coooking, farming, and a host of other activities.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. -Proverbs 18:4
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life. -Provebs 10:11
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. -Proverbs 13:14
These verses parallel what James has written and underscore the importance of our words.
Water is life-giving, and our words can give life. However, if water is not controlled, it brings death and destruction. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. -Proverbs 18:21
Water also cleanses. Our words to others can also help to cleanse and sanctify them.
The tongue is delightful because it is like a tree. Trees help to hold down the soil; they provide beauty and shade; and they bear fruit. Our words can help to shelter and encourage a weary traveler, and can help to feed a hungry soul. As we share His word with others, we feed them and encourage them along the way.
Like a trees root system which goes down deep, if we are rooted in the things of the Lord, then our words will be the fruit of our fellowship with Him. We must spend time in His Word, pray and allow the Spirit to fill our hearts and minds.
But James issued a warning: a fountain cannot give forth two kinds of water, and a tree cannot bear two different kinds of fruit. If the tongue is inconsistent, there is something radically wrong with the heart.
The tongue that blesses the Father, and then turns around and curses men made in God's image, is in desperate need of spiritual medicine!
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The problem is not the tongue; it is the heart. "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile man." -Matthew 15:18
The fruit we show is the result of who we are. If we have control over our tongue, then we have control over our self. The tongue can have tremendous power, for either good or evil. (David Guzik)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. -James 3:17
This will allow us to bring peace and not conflict. We will show other people our faith is genuine when what comes out of our mouths demonstrates that God is living inside of us. (Kay Arthur D4Y, James)
There are "Twelve Words That Can Transform Your Life". If you use them sincerely and mean them from your heart, God will use you to be a blessing and encouragement to others.
"Please" and "Thank You"
"I'm sorry"
"I love you"
"I'm praying for you"
The smallest but largest troublemaker in all the world is the tongue. But God can use the tongue to lead others into the way of life and to delight them in the trials of life.
Give God your heart and tongue each day and ask Him to use you to be a blessing to others.
-From The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: New Testament; by Warren Wiersbe; pp. 869-870
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