Restraining the unbridled tongue
Key Verses: 1, 8, 10, 16
Teachers,
whether they are public school teachers or Bible teachers, have an awesome
responsibility. James writes specifically about Bible teachers, saying that
they will be judged for their teaching activities. Because we deal with
eternity, we must be very careful what and how we teach. Our lives need to
match our message to an even greater degree because other people are watching
and modeling us. Teachers have an increased portion of the responsibility that
we all carry. We are all responsible for what we say.
I am
amazed at all the people who go to fitness centers and yet our society is
getting more obese every day. Our advertising displays an anorexic image of who
we think we want to be, and all the while we can’t control what we eat. And
that lack of control is nothing compared to our inability to speak consistently
in a way that honors the Lord. We snap at our spouse and kids. We demand and
let our emotions run wild. It is easier to tame the wildfires in the West than
our tongues.
James’
challenge to us is this: it is not possible to praise God with a mouth that is
out of control! Our praise is contaminated by the words spoken at other times
that reflect poorly on God’s character and our own. We need to let Christ have
control of our tongue as well as our feet and hands. We must learn to control
what we speak. The words we speak and the attitude conveyed mold generations to
come.
When a
leader has something other than the exaltation of Christ in their heart, the
direction of their lives and the lives of those who follow them get off course.
When we are in it for ourselves, God is not at work in what we do. He might use
us, but it will be in spite of us. We will be vessels, but not ones of honor.
We are
teachers to our children. We own them good lessons, both with our words and
with our lives.
Today,
monitor what and how you say things. Try to take an honest listen to your
speech. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to light what you have hidden from your own
ears and heart. Then, take the time to reflect and repent. Then seek His
strength to make the needed changes. Self must die so that Christ can live.