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A couple of days ago I was reading James Chapter 3, and it speaks of how our tongues as small as they are can often say "great and powerful" things...this can be either for the glory of the Lord or against...and this is why we need to be ever mindful of our words.

I'm going to break down James Chapter 3 for a moment to share some thoughts on how we as called servants should be ever mindful of our speech...whether in voice...or in typed words shared through a computer.

James 3:1-2
1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Wow look at what that 2nd verse says...if we can learn to not offend others with our shared words we will be able to control the whole body...woohooo how exciting that is...but oh..how often I myself fail at this...but thinking on this...imagine how powerful our testimony to others would be if we control our words and they are seasoned only with the Salt of the Lord...how many souls would hear the words coming from our mouth and hands...and see Jesus within us shining in all His glory...we have a way to reach souls...and that is through the words that God speaks through us...but if we don't allow God to speak through us...or if we allow the enemy to overtake our tongue...yikes what damage we can do in sin.

James 3:3-5
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.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Now look at this our little tongue...can kindle a great fire...we want that fire to be a Holy Spirit Fire...and not a hell flamed fire....so our little tongue can drive how others see us...and we want to be kind in our words both to the lost and to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ...we want to have peace amongst our brethren...and passion when sharing Jesus with others...and our tongue is definitely one tool that God wants to use...but again we have to be careful as the enemy lurks to destroy...and he will try and use our tongue to destroy if we don't take care of our speech...again our speech can be through our tongue or our fingers...as words are something the enemy looks to use against God.

James 3:6-12
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.
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.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Now don't these verses speak Truth...we can either speak poison or we can speak kindness and love...but we need to remember our tongue and fingers are part of our body...therefore if we bless God and curse man...then we are not being a representative of Christ...someone is always watching...someone is always reading...if you take time to check your words before sharing them...you will be able to make sure your words are bringing glory to God and that you are not being offensive...there is a saying you can catch more flies with honey...and my friends...God needs us to reach the lost...and words that are His are words that will touch their souls...yes He uses us to speak or type them...but all in the same...if we are in the Spirit...they are His words...but if we are speaking from flesh in any matter...then our words can take on a tone of evil...so being careful what we say is soooo important.

James 3:13
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Look at this I love this verse here...A wise man endued with knowledge shows a good conversation in his works...but is meek and wise when doing so...awwww how many souls see and hear our words...let your words my called brothers and sisters...be words of God always...as this is how we reach souls for Jesus.

luv ya all

heya mlg, sis....God bless you, girl!

ya know, ive been studying this same book! James is an awesome book about how we should love and treat others. There have been many times ive hurt people with my words...and many times others have hurt me with theirs. We are taught to let them roll off our backs, but sometimes..the pain goes so deeply, we can only run to the Lord with it and let Him comfort our hearts. Sometimes we dont know our words have hurt someone..and sometimes, the words shared with others about someone gets back to the ones whispered about. These are the words that hurt the most..and we must be vigilant in keeping our tongues in check.

last night i re-read this same chapter...wondering what "many masters" means..and the Lord led me to Matthew 23:8 which reads..

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

wow.....no new info there....but we really have to let that sink into our hearts. Thanks for posting this, sis. God is soo good! love this thread!

in Jesus,
love momo

Momo...interesting thoughts and honestly I don't know what be not many masters means either sis...but hopefully someone can come along and share on this.

I think that the book of James is so great in showing us how to walk as a beautiful witness in Christ.

luv ya sis

Hello Mlg, Momof3 and Everyone

God bless you this day.

God's Word is awesome, isn't it?!!!

I copy and pasted several versions of The Bible, for James 3:1

KJV - Jam 3:1 - My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

NKJV - Jam 3:1 - My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

NLT - Jam 3:1 - Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.
Footnote:

NIV - Jam 3:1 - Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Here is another scripture that addresses the same message, similarly:

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

I hope this helps

God bless and keep you.

Love,
Mack

Great word to start the moening off with, ty all.

For did say to us all, "Ye are the salt of the earth

Awwww Mackenaw thanks so much sis...so now I come to pull out more in just these two verses as follows:

James 3:1-2
1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

The first part of the second sentence says for in many things we offend all....so basically it's saying teachers will be judged more harshly...and I think that's because more is expected from those who know more...and if you are a teacher your knowledge of the Lord's word should be more.

Here's a couple of verses I think of along this lines as well that brings out the characteristics of called teachers as well...studying to know the Word as well as the expectations when knowledge of the Word is given.

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

So not only do we have to be careful of our tongues...we have to know that God will judge teachers with a heavier hand. But of course we all know that God is a loving and merciful God and we can't forget that either.

luv ya all

Just feel the need to bump this thread...

luv ya'll

woohoo! thanks Mack and mlg....i love the book of James.

mlg, sis..i was thinking of exactly those same verses when i read this. God is so good.

i like the part about bridling the whole body...if we cant control even our own tongues.....

anyway, about these vs...its very clear that we cant show someone the ways of God and His mercy, if we dont know about it..and how are we gonna know about it if we dont study His heart in His words?

thank you for re-bumping this thread...His word is so important to every aspect of our daily walks with Him. We teach people even when we dont know they are watching and listening...just by saying we love the Lord...people who dont know Him want to know why..and what He has to offer them. What are we teaching them?

lets keep this thread goin....

love you girls!!

in Jesus,
love momo