Passages for Reflection: James 3: 1-6
James 3 1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For 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. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold 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. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And 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 speaks about the importance of faith to the believers.
‘A man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works’. This was the challenge to his hearers.
God’s word challenges us to do more than believe it but receive it; and more than talk it, but we must walk it out.
For what comes out of our mouth is connected to what we speak from our heart and it should be void of unbelief, wavering, double-mindedness, or doubt.
When we go through the storms of life, we must learn to not allow the wind to steer us in our storm but grab hold of the wheel.
Grab hold to the rudder (our tongue) and in the midst of going through hell we must speak to our mountains and command them to move or say to the storm, ‘peace be still.’
It’s not hard to talk the right thing when things are going right.
But can we talk right when getting a pink slip, the house goes into foreclosure, the money gets funny, the repo man comes for the car, and our children start to fight?
Here comes the real test of the tongue as the wind starts to blow and frustration begins to abound.
Are we then going to grab hold to the rudder (our tongue) and turn the situation around?
During problematic situations we must invite God’s power and anointing into our lives to help us begin to speak the word ONLY.
We therefore must evaluate and solve heart issues with the decision of what we are going to do before the crisis comes from the enemy.
Right now be proactive and declare we are going to stand and grow through this thing called life, because quitting is not an option, as we go through trials, challenges, sickness, and life’s issues.
Drive it deep in your heart, so that when the enemy comes it becomes our conviction, and not an option to move forward in God until we see breakthroughs.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39)
What are you speaking over your body, health, children, grand-children, ministry, calling, business, gift, and talent? Are you speaking your demise or destiny, your pain or purpose, your funeral or future, your trial or testimony? Whatever you are speaking will guide you onto the path of your destiny. Death and life are in the power of the tongue… (Proverbs 18:21). Let us choose to SPEAK life to live out our best life.
Blessings and Love,
Lauretha Ward