James 3:5-9

 James 3:5-9

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.

Our tongues. They can do great damage. We all have said things we wish we could take back. We all have said things we never should have. We all have caused damage with the raging inferno which is our mouths. 

James teaches how every bird and beast and sea creature... reptiles of every kind can all be tamed. Yet the tongue a small member of our body is unable to be bridled.

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 

Look around us today. I feel this is self evident. We have become a fear mongering, hate slewing, hysteria driven society. We now have capabilities far beyond any generation to take a hateful word and spread it rampant. With a click you can share demeaning information, eagerly read gossip with a scroll, and fill our minds with debased things that then pour out of our speech. This should not be so!

Our talk should be seasoned with salt. Colossians 4:5-6 teaches us, "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

These days we rapid fire our speech so much, and feel so self-entitled to our own opinions we do not readily stop to pray and consider what we are saying, typing, tweeting. We have an opinion, a thought, an irritation and we will write it, shout it, #it  for the whole world to know. 

1 Peter urges us women to allow our adorning to be of our hearts, not outwardly, of a quiet and gentle spirit. WOAH. Quite contrary to what culture says. Be loud, arrogant, angry and entitled. You do you. This is not Christlike. As we discussed the other day, even 'christian culture,' has made crass borderline vulgar, loud women best sellers and rendered the ones to follow. Sister- fix your eyes upon Jesus!!!

May we be known for our gracious words, gentleness and kindness. May we look to share the Gospel of Christ, the Good News of Jesus; rather than a forest fire of anger and animosity. 

Worship: We look to you