James 3:1-10, Don't
be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly
responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards.
And none of us is perfectly qualified. If you could find someone whose speech was
perfectly true, you'd have a perfect person, in perfect control of life. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything - or destroy it!
A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By
our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a
reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it,
smoke right from the pit of hell. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image.
Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!
In America we are blessed to live in the land of Freedoms which include the First Amendment, Freedom of Speech. Now just because we have this freedom, doesn't always mean we should exercise it. As it says in James 3, the tongue can bless or curse from the same mouth. It can build up or destroy. We are not perfect although if we are living for God, our tongue should never be boastful or self serving. It should speak only of life and never death, as these are the ways of Jesus. When speaking of Kingdom things we are held to a higher standard, for not only the content and accuracy, but the intent or use of the words. Ephesians 4:14-15, "so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..."
1 Peter 3:10, For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep
his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit"...I Love this verse as it leaves no room for question. It is clear if you Love life, speak Love and life. Pretty straight forward right? Unfortunately there are those who will twist scripture to benefit some agenda, this person may want to achieve. This is dangerous ground to tread on as we see in Matthew 18 (Matthew 18:6, But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to
sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened
around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea). God has a special place for those who would manipulate others via the Word of God, as these unknowing or misled persons will surely sin from this behavior. I have seen it first hand and the stronghold some can have on others using scripture, can be terribly powerful. Prayer is the only way to break it, as God will have to reach the heart of those entombed in the lie. As for the deceiver he/ she's only hope is to stop, confess and pray for mercy as they will be judged for this at a much higher standard. Matthew 12:36-37, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for
every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified,
and by your words you will be condemned.”
Now we are not perfect, this is a fact. So in trying to follow in the footsteps of Jesus we must first bridle our tongues, so that we can be sure what escapes is that of Love and Life and not of death or deceit. Proverbs 29:20, "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him." The enemies fastest and easiest way into our lives, I believe, is our tongue. James 3:8, "But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." When in a Pastoral role (Pastor in the Greek means, Shepard and as we know a Shepard guides and protects) we are responsible to speak Gods will, not our own. We deliver a powerful teaching which can change people for the Glory of God. Yet misused we can destroy them also. Everyone at some point, has this role bestowed upon them. Matthew 28:18-20, And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The point here is that as we lead in teaching the ways of the Kingdom, we be very careful what we say and how we say it. Dr. Ed Young likes to say he follows the K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid) policy so as to not over complicate things. As each of us share the Gospel with others, it doesn't matter if it is friends, family or strangers, just be sure to check your heart and facts before you speak, just to make sure it aligns with the will of God. By not saying anything, rather then misleading others, you lay a much wiser foundation then one of deceit or ignorance. You never know who else is watching or listening and you may harden a heart from your unwise words as well. James 1:26, "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but
deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."
Lets Pray: Father God, we thank you for the many blessings you show us in our lives. Father we ask for your forgiveness and plead that you sharpen our minds so that we may share your wisdom to all. Praising You and the Kingdom in the Glorious way You designed. Father for those misleading others, forgive them and change their ways and hearts Father, Help them see the hurt they cause. For those mislead do not let them be turned away from Your Love and Grace Father. Help them see the truth in You though the Holy Spirit. Father we all are here to serve You and others and we ask these things in Jesus name....AMEN
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