James outlines the impossibility of controlling a force so destructive and consuming that we should shudder at the thought of this “member” which is a vital part of our body.
But we don’t shudder in fear or respect. We (as in humans) mostly don’t even give it a second thought as to how we use this destroying power. Think I am overstating? You haven’t read James 3 then.
Control it? Scoff. We unleash it and are stupid enough to think that we are in control when this fire from hell is in fact ruining our lives and setting us up for judgment.
Am I too harsh? Again … Have you read James 3?
So how do we handle this monster? How do we do the impossible? We can’t.
But God can. If we let him. If we listen to him. If we quit brushing off his words of direction when he speaks to us as to how we should speak to others.
Our tongues. An overwhelming foe, but one of which can be used for good. Blessing instead of cursing. Fresh, living water instead of a salty pond.
But we decide. Trust and obey God … Or not … Wise people … Or fools. There it is before us. The text cannot be more clear. Not a matter of understanding but of loving obedience.
- Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
- Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
- Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
- Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
- He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
- Proverbs 12:19(ESV), Psalm 34:13, 141:3 (ESV), Proverbs 13:3 (ESV), 21:23 (NASB).
Message Title: Mission Impossible!
Message Text: James 3:1-12
- PDF LESSON 7 : Mission Impossible : James 3-1-12 : ffc : dave scott : 111515 : STUDY SHEET ONE
- PDF LESSON 7 : Mission Impossible : James 3-1-12 : ffc : dave scott : 111515 : STUDY SHEET TWO
- PDF LESSON 7 : Mission Impossible : James 3-1-12 : ffc : dave scott : 111515 : STUDY SHEET THREE
- PDF LESSON 7 : Mission Impossible : James 3-1-12 : ffc : dave scott : 111515 : 111515 : STUDY SHEET FOUR
