James 3:2 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.
Oh Friends, please heed James’ dire warning re the dangers of the tongue. Words are our main source of communication, so what we say can create harmony or cause disunity. ‘For in many things we offend all.’ Yes people, all of us stumble in many ways, especially with our words. ‘If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.’ Hn, hn! That brought forth an involuntary chuckle. A perfect man in the use of words? That creature doesn’t exist. But it’s a model to which we should all aspire. That perfect man should be ‘able also to bridle the whole body.’ It’s logical. If we can bridle our tongue, controlling our entire body should be easy. But sadly Friends, for too many of us, controlling our tongue seems impossible. And we know better, for we’ve all said things we lived to regret, when just a little thought and self control could have prevented the negative outcome. We either don’t care, don’t try hard enough or just like to put our foot in our mouths. But it’s imperative we remember, that words, once spoken, can never be taken back. We can apologize, do penance, whatever, but once those unsuitable, unsavoury words trip off our little tongue, they’re gone forever. The hurt and pain they cause will boomerang on us, or spread in unimaginable ways, to places and people we don’t even know. Such is the great effect of our words. Simple, but poorly chosen words create things like grudges, envy and jealousy, that breed anger, resentment and bitterness which cause strife and eventually lead to wars and senseless destruction. Look around the world at all the conflict currently taking place, a lot of it stems from words that someone took umbrage at. James says, ‘But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.’ (vs.8) That’s true to a point. But regardless of how hard it might be Friends, we’ve still got to try and control our tongues, otherwise it will cause us untold grief. And the disturbing thing is that the tongue is so small, but has the power to create worldwide problems. James draws a good parallel; We put small bits in big horses mouths, and small rudders and helms in large ships, so we can guide them where we want them to go. ‘Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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.’ (vs.5-6) Yes people, the tongue is a rather small part of our anatomy, but brother, it sure is the most dangerous. Bruh David recognized this long ago. ‘What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile?’ (Ps.34:12-13) That’s a universal truth Friends: To live long, happy lives, we need to curb our tongue, monitor our speech, so that pleasant, uplifting words are our mainstay. Here’s Jesus’ take on the subject. ‘But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.’ (Mat.12:36-37) And Friends, come that fateful day, He’ll be the judge, so better pay heed. Much LOVE!…physical hurts heal with time…but those inflicted by words…oftimes never do…
Oh Friends, please heed James’ dire warning re the dangers of the tongue. Words are our main source of communication, so what we say can create harmony or cause disunity. ‘For in many things we offend all.’ Yes people, all of us stumble in many ways, especially with our words. ‘If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.’ Hn, hn! That brought forth an involuntary chuckle. A perfect man in the use of words? That creature doesn’t exist. But it’s a model to which we should all aspire. That perfect man should be ‘able also to bridle the whole body.’ It’s logical. If we can bridle our tongue, controlling our entire body should be easy. But sadly Friends, for too many of us, controlling our tongue seems impossible. And we know better, for we’ve all said things we lived to regret, when just a little thought and self control could have prevented the negative outcome. We either don’t care, don’t try hard enough or just like to put our foot in our mouths. But it’s imperative we remember, that words, once spoken, can never be taken back. We can apologize, do penance, whatever, but once those unsuitable, unsavoury words trip off our little tongue, they’re gone forever. The hurt and pain they cause will boomerang on us, or spread in unimaginable ways, to places and people we don’t even know. Such is the great effect of our words. Simple, but poorly chosen words create things like grudges, envy and jealousy, that breed anger, resentment and bitterness which cause strife and eventually lead to wars and senseless destruction. Look around the world at all the conflict currently taking place, a lot of it stems from words that someone took umbrage at. James says, ‘But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.’ (vs.8) That’s true to a point. But regardless of how hard it might be Friends, we’ve still got to try and control our tongues, otherwise it will cause us untold grief. And the disturbing thing is that the tongue is so small, but has the power to create worldwide problems. James draws a good parallel; We put small bits in big horses mouths, and small rudders and helms in large ships, so we can guide them where we want them to go. ‘Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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.’ (vs.5-6) Yes people, the tongue is a rather small part of our anatomy, but brother, it sure is the most dangerous. Bruh David recognized this long ago. ‘What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile?’ (Ps.34:12-13) That’s a universal truth Friends: To live long, happy lives, we need to curb our tongue, monitor our speech, so that pleasant, uplifting words are our mainstay. Here’s Jesus’ take on the subject. ‘But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.’ (Mat.12:36-37) And Friends, come that fateful day, He’ll be the judge, so better pay heed. Much LOVE!…physical hurts heal with time…but those inflicted by words…oftimes never do…
SCRIP-BITS 