Guard Your Tongues

Today’s Scripture Threshings for Friday, March 8, 2019

Today’s Text: James 3:1-12

Key Verse: James 3:10 (KJV): “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

We can be grateful for apostle Paul, who helps us learn how great use may be made of the great power of our tongue (vv. 2-4) though most of us fail to do so (vv. 5, 6). While the apostle understands how difficult it is to tame the tongue, there’s no room for excuses. He reminds us of our God-given dominion, at the creation, which puts every creature under our control. Year by year man is subduing the earth and extending his dominion over it. We subdue the Sea by sailing great vessels; the sky, by flying thousands of feet above sea levels. We tame the lion, the horse, the tiger, the eagle, the dog, the elephant, the leopard, the hyena; the partridge, the falcon, the cobra, and the crocodile. We overcome waves and distance through communication technologies. So, why can’t we tame this fierce and ferocious little creature in our human body.

It’s clearly not understandable how such a small member as the tongue poses such a formidable rebellion. However, if you ever thought like this, you may go ahead and stand before a mirror and imagine how such a small image that you see, in there, could pose such a great rebellion against the authority of God. You’d probably see how the tongue reminds us of our appalling corruption and rebellion towards God.

Friends, we have a choice. The tongue is not totally out of control. It has been given us so that we may "bless the Lord and Father," uttering divine praise of Him who made all things for His will. Through the ennobling exercise of our tongue confession is made unto salvation. Through the same, we adore Him for His manifold blessings and grace. We do these when we would. Therefore, we can take dominion over inconsistent melancholic use of the same if we would. Paul the Apostle gives us a simple nudge today. Godly speeches are inconsistent with spiteful words. It ought not to be so. Do not let such passion rise. Do not backbite others. Do not rival, revile or denounce others for not belonging to your group. Do not invoke evil upon others — for this is what the English word "curse" primarily means.

These things ought not to be so because, Christ has destroyed the works of Satan in us. The inconsistency obvious in the fruit of our tongues is, perhaps, because we fail to mortify or close the fountain of the old nature within the heart. The apostle recognizes how difficult this is, but never represents it as impossible. It is unbecoming of us not to guard our tongues.

Quote for the Day: “Your tongue is not any more powerful than you allow it. It is a positive or destructive tool depending on how you employ it. It doesn’t work out or rehearse; it doesn’t need a bone or muscles; but it’s so strong that it could ruin a life.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear LORD, thank you for this amazing member of my body that enables me the expression of your loving kindness. Please help me Oh Lord so that words of resentful criticism, negativity, corruption, pride, arrogance, gossip, bitterness, resentment, hate and spitefulness never leave my lips. For life and death are in the power of the tongue. Help me set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

With all my Love and Prayer,

Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),

2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,

Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA

Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org

BBMme: E3F988D2

[Today’s Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]

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