December 10, 2024 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read James

James 3:1  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 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. 3  Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6  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. 7  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

There used to be a phrase that we learned as children watching old westerns movies. “He speaks with a forked tongue.” It means the person says one thing and means another.

The only one that can control the tongue is the Lord Jesus Christ. He does so by saving the unbeliever and making him or her a new creature in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

After one is born again, then the tongue is controlled be the love of Christ which constrains us.

2 Corinthians 5:14  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

It then becomes a matter of dying to self and letting the Lord be the guide and master of our hearts and minds.

That happens by living, breathing, walking in the Spirit of God through the word of God.

Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

When the mind and heart is given over to Christ, the tongue will reveal it. The words will change.

Proverbs 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook