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DEVILISH TONGUE
[Few thoughts from James 3rd Chapter]
James and Jude were half-brothers of our Lord Jesus Christ, yet each one of
them called himself as 'servant of Lord Jesus Christ'. Lord Jesus Christ was
born of the virgin Mary and these two were his half-brothers. They humbled and
called themselves as servants of Lord Jesus Christ.
James brings an important aspect in to light in 3rd chapter as to how hard it
is to tame the tongue. He calls tongue as a 'fire'. A small bit placed on
the tongue of a horse controls the whole body of horse, a small rudder of a ship
controls the whole direction of the ship, but the tongue of a man is hard to
control. Every beast on the face of the earth can be controlled by man but the
tongue of a man cannot be controlled. It sets fire; it brings misunderstanding;
it ruins family lives. The evil is brought about in man's lives by Satan,
who is also called the 'Devil', and an accuser. The Satan's purpose is to
work for evil, which is just the opposite of 'good'. Satan's endeavors to
push us in to sinful life and make us to lead an evil life. Satan makes us
to use our tongue in unworthy manner boasting of ourselves, slandering
neighbors, cursing friends and relatives, instead of worshipping God. In
the book of Revelation Satan is rightly called as an 'accuser(slanderer0 of the
brethren'.
Does it surprise us, if we call ourselves as little devils in the light of the
fact that we resort to slander. We like to accuse people by casting aspersions
against them directly or sometimes indirectly. We even go to the extent of lying and telling something about them which is not true.
Perhaps that is the reason why apostle Paul encouraged a young believer named Titus to request the members of his church not to accuse one another. He also warned them to be careful about what they talk. No doubt the caution was meant specifically to women in the church; nevertheless applies to everyone on earth. Apostle Paul knew that slander was of the devil and he also admonishes us to realize this fact.
Who knows right now the reader is being tempted to say something against
someone. May we realize that temptation comes from Devil (Satan, the accuser).
If we are the children of God and depend on Him, He will help us hold our tongue
when we have devilish things to say. The tongue will no more be a devilish one
then, but a praising and worshipping one.
The Word of God says that if a man does not offend anyone he is perfect, who
could control his/her whole body, but no such perfect one exists.
Every beast on earth on earth could be tamed but tongue is such one organ that
it brings strife. Man blesses with the same tongue at one time and at some time
he curses with the same tongue. Can a fountain of blessings flow from one source
and curse from the same source. But this is something very true in the
case of tongue. A horse can be controlled with bits in its mouth, but no one yet
could control the tongue. It sets fire and defiles the whole body. It boasts
great things. With the tongue we worship the Father in heaven, in whose
similitude we are created, and with the same tongue sometimes we curse our whole
brothers and sisters, who are also created in the similitude of God. The word of
God, therefore, cautions to be careful not to be careless with the usage of the
tongue. It questions us if a fountain of fresh and sweet water brings forth
bitter and salt water? Can a fig tree bring forth olive berries? or, can a vine
bring forth figs? The Word of God, therefore, admonishes us to show good
conversation with meekness and wisdom, and lie not to any body and avoid
hypocrisy.
Dear brother/sister,
Is it not the time for you to realize that you should not have a devilish
tongue? God help you and bless you. If you have not accepted Lord Jesus Christ
as your personal Savior, it is high time you did that now.
God is Trinity, the "Father", the "Son", and "the Holy Spirit. They co-exist, they are co-equal, and though their functions are different, yet they are One God and not three Gods. Jesus Christ is the "Son of God" and he is the creator. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the very God Himself, came to this world to redeem man kind from the bondage of sin. Jesus Christ, who had two natures, one of divine and another of human, during his ministry on this earth, was the incarnation of the very living God. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
"For there are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one".1 John 5:7
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
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