Friday, October 7, 2011

 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
James 3:9-10

“God I love you, but I hate what you love.  God I love you, but _________ you are worthless.  God you are incredible,  but I don’t want to obey you.”  Those statements just don’t go together do they?  That’s James’ point as well.  That’s why we’ve got to allow God to change our hearts and our minds so that our words can be changed.

Application:

One last application regarding our words this week- A great idea to start to allow God to change your heart is to memorize His Words. Can I recommend some?

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
Psalm 119:11- 12.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

No man can tame the tongue and that is exactly why we need God to do it for us.  Check out this verse-

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”  Luke 6:45

So for our words to be right, our hearts have to be right.  The only one that can change our hearts is God.  We can’t change it on our own! (Sounds a lot like our “Character Under Construction” Series doesn’t it?)  “But the tongue can no man tame…”, so let God change your heart and your words.

Application:

What do your words reveal about your heart?  Are you allowing God to work on your heart?  This devotion can be a start, but if it’s just something you do on your “Christian checklist” it probably isn’t transforming you.  Don’t make this time of your day just a task to be accomplished.  Talk to God, and keep it relational.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 

Today’s verses should be really sobering to all of us.  Like the bridle and rudder that James spoke about yesterday, James illustrates this idea of the impact of words with a spark.  But unlike yesterday’s verses, James speaks of how much damage is done with our words.  Think about all the damage that has been done with our words.  Think about how much damage you have done with your words.  Words have incredible power to damage, harm and destroy.

Application:

Sometimes our application should just be to repent.  If you have used words to hurt, harm, or destroy lately, take it to God.  If you have hurt someone, go to them and ask for forgiveness.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
James 3:3-4

Have you ever been on a huge ship?  Isn’t it amazing how such a big ship is directed with such a relatively small rudder, and generally by just one person.

It’s the same with horses.  Have you ever seen Clydesdale horses?  They are gigantic.  They could easily physically dominate most human beings that would try to control them.  Yet the bridle (which ironically goes in their mouths) allow even the smallest of jockey’s or riders to reign them in and use them for whatever purpose is needed.

Both of these examples speak to the control that just a small part can have.  James says that our tongues are like that.  The words we use can end up controlling us.  We make a promise that we shouldn’t have with our mouths, and now it affects our entire bodies and schedules.  We make a comment, and as a result we reap a reputation that is positive or negative.  We tell a lie, and lose friends, jobs, livelihoods, and relationships.  The tongue is small, but the consequences of our words are not.

Application:

Now this is not just a bad thing.  It can be a good thing!  Our words can be used to do incredible.  So here is a challenge- Take a few moments to talk to God.  I even challenge you to speak out loud to God if you can.  Use your words to talk to God!  Secondly, purposely use your words today to say something to encourage someone in your life.  Are you ready to take this challenge?  Alright…Get ready, Get set…GO!