"A BIT OF CONTROL"

Good Evening To All!

By putting a bit into the mouth of a horse, we can turn the horse in different directions. It takes strong winds to move a large sailing ship, but the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction. Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things.

It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself . . . .Our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison.

My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. . . Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring? (James 3:3-6, 8-11 CEV)

I usually like to use the King James Version for my scriptures, but this seem a straight forward way to put my thoughts.

I can't count the times that I have to ask the Lord to bridle my tongue or even ask forgiveness for saying something which I did not catch in time.

Have you ever noticed how it takes just a small item to take control of things? Take for example a horse, that big graceful animal which looks so powerful can be kept under control by a bit in his mouth. With just that small instrument of leather and metal can guide a 200 or 300 pound animal this way and that to stop him or to get him to move. A small remote control can control a large electronic machine like an air conditioner or television set with just a push of a button.

Our tongue have the power of life and death in them. For such a tiny member of our body, they can cause much joy or much pain. They can destroy marriages or jobs. They can tear down a child's self-esteem so bad that he will never recover. They can cause a child to excel and have self confidence beyond belief.

James wrote the above passage to help Christians live their faith daily. Our words reveal a lot about us. They reveal how we live our lives. They reveal how we live our faith. Do we abide by God's Word and lived the way God wants you to?

Have you ever been two-faced? I mean acted like you liked someone to their face, then turned around after they left and bad mouthed them to your friends? Have you received a gift and thanked that person only to turn around and complain about it behind their back? How about this one. Having a nice conversation on the phone, then pushing the mute button on the for to yell at your children?

Uh-oh, I'm busted ! I've even done this one. Yelled or "griped" while driving to or from church , yet sing praises to God when you get there? I guess I'd better start paying more attention to what I'm doing. I better repent for that at the altar Sunday as well. I never really thought about that . I mean I don't yell where anyone can hear me. (What an excuse!) It still came out of my mouth, which gave Satan an opening to take control of my tongue. If you don't remember any other verse, remember this one. OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART, THE MOUTH SPEAKETH! Actually, the complete verse is O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Matthew 12:34 KJV) This verse has helped me tremendously. I
admit, I still slip sometimes, but I'm much better than I used to be. And my progress is due to this verse. I don't want "garbage in my heart", and if I say things I shouldn't, then I realize that I need to check my spirit and ask God to cleanse my heart and renew within me a right spirit.

We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide our words, and use our tongues to build people up, not tear them down. We need to use our tongues to encourage, not discourage. We need to use our tongues to spread God's love and not Satan's hate.

Another favorite verse of mine is 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.

I know that verse is pertaining to positive thoughts, but if we think positive thoughts, then positive words will roll off our tongues.

Good night to All and May God Bless!

"SPIRITUAL WARFARE - POWER OF THE TONGUE"

Good Evening to All!

Tuesday night, we discussed "The Gift of Words". Tonight I would like to go a little deeper and talk about "Powerful Words".

In this passage, Paul is talking to the Corinthians. (1) Now I myself, Paul beseech you, by the gentleness and consideration of Christ [Himself; I] who [am] lowly enough [so they say] when among you face to face, but bold (fearless and outspoken) to you when [I am] absent from you! (2) I entreat you when I do come [to you] that I may not [be driven to such] boldness as I intend to show toward those few who suspect us of acting according to the flesh [on the low level of worldly motives and as if invested with only human powers.] (3) For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.

(4) For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, (5) [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every though and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Our minds and our mouths are such battlefields. Yes I know that it is actually supposed to be conveyed that the mind is the battlefield, but our mouth get us into trouble quicker than anything, because most of speak before we think. We don't think about the consequences of our words.

If we would discipline ourselves to think before we speak our lives would be so much better. Not only our lives, but anyone we come in contact with. It is so sad that words have so much power in them. According to Gods Word our tongue has the power of "life and death" in it.

We can use our words to enhance someone's life, or tear it down. I have been on both ends of the spectrum. My dad used to tear me down every chance he got, (when he was intoxicated), and I have a church family now that does their best to uplift each other at every opportunity.

We also need to use our Words to encourage others to come to Christ without "hammering " them into others. Words can be so compelling, yet with just a different tone in our voice or one wrong word, they can be just as repelling. I know this because I have had it happen to me luckily YEARS ago. Something was said about the way I dressed and it made me shy away from church for a good while, until I met the right people who knew just what to say to help me back on the path to Christ.

I cannot figure out for the life of me why it works this way, but for some reason, the hateful scarring words last a life time without even being reminded of them, yet the uplifting words tend to be fleeting. I mean we have to be reassured of them quite often. I guess it is because the hurtful words cut so deep that the positive words act like a band aid that is constantly having to be reapplied to cover the wound.

I must get on a positive note though. Words can be used for good rather than destruction. When we use words to change minds and rebut arguments that oppose God, we defend our faith and our God. The thing is, in the above passage, Paul is speaking about weapons. He is talking about weapons stronger than any "man-made" weapons. He is talking about weapons that come straight from God. He is talking about faith, prayer, love and kindness. These are what he came against false preacher and teachers with who was trying to entice others into sin such as immorality. He used the Old Testament Scriptures as well to refute false arguments.

As I earlier spoke, if we would think before we speak this would give us time to understand our true motives for wanting to say what we are going to say, as well as the correct way to put it. We must really take care of what we say and how we say it when we are speaking to others about Christ. As we will be held accountable to God for everything we say and do in the end. If we become a stumbling block for someone and they don't come to Christ because of what we say, we will answer for it on Judgment Day.

Calm but powerful words help others see the truth when they hold fast to


intellectual pride or poor arguments. I just haven't developed the confidence nor the knowledge of God to be able to make people understand. Although you know what? A thought just came to me. It's not my job to convince people. It is my job as a Christian, a disciple of Christ to plant seeds of God's Word in the hearts of people. God Himself, will draw them to Him. Again though, God's Word should come from me to others as seeds.

My challenge to you this week-end starting tomorrow is see how many positive things you can say to people to brighten their days. How many people can you say something to and make them smile? I guarantee the more you make others smile, the more you will smile.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!