We continue with James 3…and in the very first verse, he cautions that not everyone need run to be a teacher because they incur a stricter judgment! He was addressing that what comes out your mouth had better be the words of the Lord and not your own opinion. Our Adam nature, the broken nature from Adam’s disobedience, is not aligned with God. God says our minds are enmity (extreme ill will or hatred) to Him. Yuk! So He cautions against us mixing it with what God says, especially as it is taught to others. Verses 2-17 continue with the warning of the “tongue”…what you say and how you say it. Even though bitterness, revenge, disrespect, etc. are feelings, they are all delivered by the tongue. And just as a small rudder can steer a huge ship, so does such a small member of your body, control the direction of your life. Control it, put it under the subjection and wisdom of God and He says it will go well with you. Tough chapter here, but we must seek God for help in making sure we control the tongue so as to steer us in the right direction. (Originally recorded 12/11/13. Listen to entire sermon below. We apologize for the sound static in the first minute of the audio, but it does clear up after that.) |
Archives
September 2021
|