The Training of the Tongue

James nails this one in Chapter 3: 6-10.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not to be so.

Paul said in Romans 12:

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (v. 14) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. (v. 17)
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (v.18) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (v.19) Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him adrink; For in so doing you will heap coals on his head. (v. 20) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (v. 21)

Solomon wrote many times about self-control.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Prov. 16: 32)

He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. (Prov. 17: 27-28)

The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. (Prov. 17: 14)

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. (Prov. 15:1)

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalt folly. (Prov. 14: 29)

A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. (Prov. 18: 6-7)

Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. (Prov. 19:13)

Better to dwell in a wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. (Prov. 21: 19)

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. (Prov. 21: 21)

Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease. (Prov. 22: 10)

Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul. (Prov. 22: 24-25).

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tendero-hearted, For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1Peter 3: 8-12)

Let no corrupt word proceed ot of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4: 29-32)

A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (Prov. 18: 20-21)

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. (Prov. 4: 23-24).

As in all things, practice makes perfect. In fact, without repetition of controlling your tongue…you will not have the habit of self-control. If we pray without ceasing, and if we rejoice always, there is not time to think evil or hurtful things about others or to be depressed or in despair about our circumstances. If we are becoming one as Jesus prayed for us in John 17, then we can’t expect everyone to think like us or act like us . The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ..His body…His bride..is the Church Triumphant. Our common ground is Jesus.

As Beth Moore said to us who are and have studied her Believing God Bible Study, “God is in the process of raising mighty warriors. The common denominator will not be human leadership, denomination, ethnicity, or giftedness. The common denominators will be consistent with those throughout Biblical history (Eph. 6:10-19):
*The shield of Faith (without this we can’t please God)
* The Sword of the Spirit (The WORD of GOD)
* Communication with the Commander (prayer)
(Me talking to God and Him talking to me)

Our opinion about anything does not matter. Our murmuring and complaining, our judging others, our causing discord…God hates all of this. There are consequences for our actions. God’s Word is what matters. We will speak as our Father speaks — speaking things that be not as though they are! Glory!

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