Focusing the Tongue

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No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.

Harry Emerson Fosdick 1878-1969, American Minister

James 1:19-22
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. NASU

Many of the things that God allows us to do as Christians can be supplanted by our harsh words and attitudes. We have done many good things in our churches as we have worked together for the Kingdom of God, but many of these things that we do, as far as actions and outward appearances can be overridden by our tongues.

A quick temper, or a sudden outburst of emotion, can do a lot of harm to what you have worked so hard to build as a one of God’s chosen and elect. If you have asked God for help in this area one of the things that you will find happening to you is the constant drip of things that might pull at your emotions and get you upset. God is allowing things around you that will make you cry out to Him for strength to overcome these challenges. He is training you and I to call upon the Holy Spirit to show us how to focus His strength on our weakness.

Didn’t we read in God’s word that when we are weak, then He is strong. Didn’t we hear Paul when he said in 2 Cor 12:10, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” You see it is in our weaknesses that Christ can manifest Himself in us, so that when we are at our “wits end” is when Jesus can begin.

God says that the “implanted Word” is able to save our souls. Yes, indeed it can, if, we will apply it to our tongues and attitudes and allow the implanted word to give us improved appearances to the world through our daily lives.

Isn’t this true? Who can hide a disgruntled heart? Doesn’t it always show up in some way in our life that doesn’t increase our witness, but diminish it? When God says be ye doers of the Word, it also involves our speech and attitude. Lets you and I allow the Holy Spirit of God show Himself strong and increase His strength in every area of our lives…God Bless

Pastor William