Description
The Power of Words and Self-Control
Join us as we meditate on James 3:2, reflecting on the importance of guarding our w… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
Meditate with me on James chapter 3 verse 2. For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Now I think that James might have a wry smile on his face as he writes this. If anyone does not stumble in what he says; who is it that doesn’t ever stumble in what they say?
James is saying, "Look, folks, we all get it wrong, and this is a sign that you are heading in the right direction: that you are stumbling less, that you are reining in your desires, your ambition, your selfishness, your pride, your ego, and that you are able also to control your body. Self control, of course, is part of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, so we can’t expect to be perfect in that, while the Fruit is still growing in us.
We all stumble in many ways. So we aren’t perfect, he says. None of us are. But he’s giving us this guidance, this direction to head in. Be cautious about what we say.
I need to learn this. I need to learn when to say the right words and when to say nothing at all.
And if we would like to become more perfect, we can follow James’s advice here. We should keep a close guard on what comes out of our mouth because it expresses who we are. It expresses what’s within us.
But he’s also not saying it’s our behaviour that determines whether or not we’re righteous. Of course not. He’s simply saying that our actions should match what’s going on inside us, and what’s going on inside us should be the work of the Holy Spirit.
He is drawing our attention to the words that we use so that we will exercise care in all we say, and in all we sing. Yes, we should think about what the words are that we use in sung worship too. Because what we sing, what comes out of our mouth, also feeds us. And we want to be feeding ourselves truth based on the word of God.
Lord God. Thank you for the work that you do in us. You are conforming us to the likeness of your Son. I ask that in the way we speak, you will help us God. You will help us to reflect your character. You will help us to choose our words wisely, carefully and with compassion for our good and for your glory oh God. Amen.
