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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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James 3:2, 9 & 10
“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”
The rudder.
James gives us a vivid picture of the tongue, like the rudder of a mighty ship. The rudder is so small but can change the whole course and direction of a huge vessel (see v 4). Similarly, our tongues are very powerful.
In Proverbs we read, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). If we are honest – we know it is true. The Jewish concept of a spoken word is power. God spoke and the worlds were created. “God said, ‘Let there be light’ – and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). (See also Hebrews 1:3.)
Speech also has the concept of an arrow or bullet. Once it leaves us, it flies away to hit its target and accomplish its goal. We see that again in Isaiah, “so is My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). I understand that Arabs used not to be allowed to speak to infidels. One day out in the desert, an Arab came across some archaeologists and because of their dress was unaware of their nationality. The Arab Bedouin greeted them. But when he found out that they were infidels (foreigners), he asked for his greeting to be returned.
It was similar with Isaac, Jacob and Esau. Isaac was to give Esau the firstborn’s blessing, but Jacob stole it by deception (see Genesis 27). Here in the West, had we been Isaac, we would have just repeated the blessing again for Esau, but Isaac couldn’t. “I have made him (Jacob) lord over you … So what can I possibly do for you, my son?” (Genesis 27:37) The tragedy becomes even more poignant when Esau pleads, “Bless me too, my father!” Sadly Isaac replied, “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of Heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother …” (see Genesis 27:39-40). We still see the effects of that ‘curse’ even today.
How often we say something and then wince – either because we know we shouldn’t have said it or we see the effect that it had on the recipient. How many people today still struggle because of what was said over them or to them when they were young? Things like – ‘You will never amount to anything.’ ‘You’re useless.’ ‘You’re ugly or you’re too fat … too thin.’ ‘You are a lazy, good-for-nothing.’ Listen – we need to be very careful what we say, especially to children. We can ‘kill’ others and we can make self-fulfilling prophecies over ourselves. And we are responsible for all we say (see Matthew 12:36-37).
Unfortunately, for many the old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me” has proved to be false. They still labour beneath those ‘childish curses’.
But the Good News is – things can be different. No matter what people say or have said about us – we need to believe the Word of God. We are image-bearers of God, the Almighty. He rejoices over us “with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). He has good plans for us, to prosper us and give us “hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
So stop criticising yourself and others. Speak positively and bless them. No matter what has been said to you – today you can walk free. Jesus paid the price. Rise up as a child of God – a prince or a princess of the King of kings.
Give Him your hurts and disappointments. Forgive those who spoke those negative and hurtful things to you; let them go and then come to Jesus and be healed and so bring His healing to the nation.
Why not start today? Remember, this time of the year can be the most stressful. So be gracious and bless everyone with whom you come into contact today. Then your day and ‘world’ will change for the better. So will theirs.
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