If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain (James 1:26).
Today's Morsel: How many times would you say that you have been hurt or negatively affected by someone else's words? The writer of Hebrews says "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"(Hebrews 4:12). If God's words cut deep, imagine what the negative and unhelpful words of a Holy Ghost filled person do to the receiver when they are spoken. Let me go on the record here and say that if I have said anything or spoken in a negative or unhelpful way to any, I'm sorry and I ask for forgiveness, as it was never my intent to do such a thing. If we are not careful, the intonation of our voice, and the things we say, trying to get our children and others to listen and obey us, can sometimes come across harsh, and we do more damage than help. Let me share with you some words that can hurt more than help:
1. Is that all the praise you can give God?
2. Can't you clap any louder than that?
3. Oh! Come on! You can do better than that! Is that the best you can do?
4. Are you that stupid? Why did you go and do a stupid thing like that?
5. What rock did you crawl out from under?
James said, "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. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 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. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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" (James 3:2-6). Notice that our tongue is a little member, but it can defile the whole body. Not only our body, but the body of Christ as well. Therefore, we all must exercise temperance when it comes to our words or else our religion is empty and without Christ.
Sing: I'm gonna lift up the name of Jesus, I'm gonna tell of my joy since He came; I'm gonna tell of His power every day and every hour, I'm gonna lift up that wonderful name!
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