Verse 10 - "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing."
Words can be very helpful, or very hurtful. Out of the mouth comes the truth, or a bunch of gossip and lies. This is a heart issue in most cases - the tongue only shapes the words in our hearts and minds. We can sound mighty religious in church, but if other times our mouth spews cursive language, gossip, and lies - then we have a heart/spirit issue that needs addressed.
Finally, if our heart is right with the Lord, than our mouth/tongue can be useful tools for the expansion of His Kingdom - if we speak the Good News to others. I have a phrase taped to the inside cover of my Bible (unsure of the author), but it states, "My tongue can be cruel in two ways: by speaking evil, or by refraining from speaking good."
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Before I came to have a true relationship with Christ, I was in that selfish state. I had a need and a desire to be the best. I HAD to be the top notch manager making a good salary. I was working for the best house, a boat, a good car and to go on expensive cruises. I was very envious of those who had what I wanted and I studied them more to be like them. I went to church, but did not study to learn about my Father. And the devil got hold of me, threw me in a pit, and I lost it all !! My house, my marriage, my job, my car, my friends, my family. The only true thing I did not lose was Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for that !!!
Now that I know Christ and have been humbled, I have found that peace in a life that I thought I was working to achieve before. I did not have to work, I just had to get to know my Loving Father. I have left the selfish ways and put others ahead of myself. It is funny, because now that I didn't want the prestige, God is giving it to me. I am in a management class. I pray everyday that God can help me stay humbled and sincere. I know that there is nothing here on earth that I want or desire, because I do not belong here, I am just visiting for a short time. My home is in Heaven with my precious Father. I am just here to learn why I don't want anypart of this world, and to learn to appreciate and Glorify my father even moreso.
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Ouch--this one is worrisome! As a professor at Seton Hill, I know the eyes of my students are on me. Yesterday, my freshman students and I discussed an essay about racism, and I was WAY out of my comfort zone, trying to speak up about some sexist and racist comments students were making without making anyone feel condemned. Not sure if I did a good enough job setting a good example and high standards of how to treat and talk to one another. James inspires me to keep trying to improve.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
Verse 10 - "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing."
ReplyDeleteWords can be very helpful, or very hurtful. Out of the mouth comes the truth, or a bunch of gossip and lies. This is a heart issue in most cases - the tongue only shapes the words in our hearts and minds. We can sound mighty religious in church, but if other times our mouth spews cursive language, gossip, and lies - then we have a heart/spirit issue that needs addressed.
Finally, if our heart is right with the Lord, than our mouth/tongue can be useful tools for the expansion of His Kingdom - if we speak the Good News to others. I have a phrase taped to the inside cover of my Bible (unsure of the author), but it states, "My tongue can be cruel in two ways: by speaking evil, or by refraining from speaking good."
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
ReplyDelete17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Before I came to have a true relationship with Christ, I was in that selfish state. I had a need and a desire to be the best. I HAD to be the top notch manager making a good salary. I was working for the best house, a boat, a good car and to go on expensive cruises. I was very envious of those who had what I wanted and I studied them more to be like them. I went to church, but did not study to learn about my Father. And the devil got hold of me, threw me in a pit, and I lost it all !! My house, my marriage, my job, my car, my friends, my family. The only true thing I did not lose was Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for that !!!
Now that I know Christ and have been humbled, I have found that peace in a life that I thought I was working to achieve before. I did not have to work, I just had to get to know my Loving Father. I have left the selfish ways and put others ahead of myself. It is funny, because now that I didn't want the prestige, God is giving it to me. I am in a management class. I pray everyday that God can help me stay humbled and sincere. I know that there is nothing here on earth that I want or desire, because I do not belong here, I am just visiting for a short time. My home is in Heaven with my precious Father. I am just here to learn why I don't want anypart of this world, and to learn to appreciate and Glorify my father even moreso.
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
ReplyDeleteOuch--this one is worrisome! As a professor at Seton Hill, I know the eyes of my students are on me. Yesterday, my freshman students and I discussed an essay about racism, and I was WAY out of my comfort zone, trying to speak up about some sexist and racist comments students were making without making anyone feel condemned. Not sure if I did a good enough job setting a good example and high standards of how to treat and talk to one another. James inspires me to keep trying to improve.