TAMING THE TONGUE

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - James

Read James 3

     But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God James 3:8-9 NKJV

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      James had heard reports that these Christians were arguing among themselves. While some were living in poverty, others were flaunting their wealth. James calls for humility because all are rich in Jesus Christ. He speaks to the sin of envy saying,
      “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, (and) demonic.” (James 3:13-15)

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      Lord, I know how easy it is to lose control of our tongues. Whether it be in anger or in gossip, the damage our words can do is unspeakable. Help me to think before I speak and especially to refrain from gossip about someone who isn’t present. Forgive me for the times I have done this.

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      Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:16-17 NKJV

THE SOURCE OF WISDOM

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - James

Read James 1

     If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting... James 1:5-6a NKJV

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      James is writing to persecuted Hebrew Christians scattered into neighboring gentile cities. They faced both financial hardship and temptation as they struggled to live the Christian life in an immoral culture. James tells them to ask of God, who is willing to grant wisdom along with all good and perfect spiritual gifts.

      Neither persecution nor temptation originates with God. Persecution comes from without, but temptation comes from the heart. James writes, “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. James 1:13-14

      While Paul had to deal with Jewish leaders who insisted that Christians keep the Old Testament law, James was dealing with the permissiveness which assumes that it doesn’t matter how we live. The book of James is very timely for the issues that Christians face today.

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      Lord, I pray that you will grant the stamina and wisdom we need to glorify You in an ungodly culture. Purify our hearts with the washing of Your precious Word, for we know that every good and perfect gift comes from You.

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     “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

Read Hebrews 13 

     Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

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     Although I had memorized this verse years ago, I did not understand the context until I studied the entire letter to the Hebrews. Earlier he writes, “... for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.” (10:34-36)
      The cost of declaring faith in Christ was loss of employment and confiscation of property. Many accepted it joyfully but some were tempted to fall away. He encourages them to endure, “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:14-15)

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      Lord, the apostles sang praises in prison; Your people endured persecution and even martyrdom for declaring faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to live joyfully even when circumstances are difficult, offering the sacrifice of praise to Your name as we live out Your plan for our lives.

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      Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead ,...make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20a-21 NKJV

THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH

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LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

Read Hebrews 11-12

      "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." Hebrews 11:1, 3 NKJV

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      This is the inspiration section of Hebrews. Some call it the “Hall of Faith.” These Old Testament believers didn’t have the clear picture of redemption that we have in the completed Scriptures. They saw it by faith from afar off, believing in God’s promise of a Messiah. They obeyed what God told them to do, even when they didn’t fully understand. For them, and for us, the requirement for pleasing God was believing Him. For "...without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (11:6)

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      Lord, reading about these heroes of the faith, we are put to shame. Help us to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." Amen.   Hebrews 12:1b-2a 

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      "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth....But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."   Hebrews 11:13, 16 NKJV

KEEP THE FAITH

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

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Read Hebrews 10: 1-25

      Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

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      In the midst of persecution and trials the Hebrew believers were struggling to keep the faith. This encouraging letter reminds them that the holiest place of the temple has been opened by the blood of Jesus Christ. Now they can draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith to fellowship with God Himself. Don’t give up, but rather, “let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (10:22-23)

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      Perhaps these Christians found themselves irritated with their fellow believers in the presence of all the outside pressure. Maybe they were tempted just like we are, to just drop out for awhile and blend in with the culture. Why put ourselves with a group of people who sometimes don’t even get along?

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      Help us Lord, to remain faithful to you and to our fellow believers. Give us the motivation to follow this admonition in Hebrews:

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      And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25