"For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also."
James 3:2
"Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also" That statement is impressive! Being careful with our words is so essential that anyone who does it can be considered perfect.
Today, I'm going to teach you how to put this into practice, but I'll clarify right away, watching what comes out of your mouth will drastically reduce your mistakes, not exterminate them to zero. Only Jesus is perfect.
God does not demand perfection from us, because He knows that we cannot achieve it, He wants to see our progress every day, a constant improvement.
Progress: is the act or effect of improving, betterment.
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6
Continuing the reading of James 3:2, we see why if someone controls their tongue they're able to control themselves entirely.
"3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!"
The tongue may be small, however it exerts a great power over us. So whoever dominates her can dominate their whole body.
Some people lose control of themselves to their emotions, they usually can't hold their own tongue.
"When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult."
Proverbs 12:16
How can we brake our mouth? This is a huge challenge for all of us, I'm not going to lie, there are times when the tongue itches to speak, return the insult to those who offended us, say something bad about the person they are talking about well, throw it in at the other's face when we were right… or when we want to show off about something we think we know and we have the unpleasant surprise that we didn't know what we were talking about.
"Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin."
Proverbs 13:3
Well, what's the remedy? Simply shutting up doesn't work, taking a vow of total silence isn't the solution either. The answer is in Luke 6:45.
"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."
The mouth speaks what the heart is full of! So if we fill our heart with good things and the best of all the Word of God, consequently our tongue will speak of them and will be under control.
"Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it."
Proverbs 4:23
Why does our whole life depend on our heart? Why is it so important that we keep it above anything else? In proverbs we find the reason.
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Proverbs 18:21
Words have power, they can lead us to live a good, happy, light and pleasant life or a bad, sad, bitter and unpleasant life. Be careful what you let into your heart, for it will come out of your mouth.
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
Galatians 6:7
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Philippians 4:8
You can choose what you listen to or watch, but sometimes you can't avoid bad company because they live with you. Family is family, we can't run away from it, but you can try to change the subject to something positive. Whenever they talk about something bad, remind them of something good that happened!
Don't allow negativity and pessimism to live inside you, they are poison for the soul. The powerful antidote is gratitude, totally effective against them!
Negative and pessimistic people focus on what is wrong, bad, unfair, evil and end up forgetting all the good that is around. They see nothing but the bad side, they are completely blind to the goodness that surrounds them. Therefore, they are often ungrateful.
So fill yourself with God, be grateful and these two attitudes will transform your life!
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:21
If this study has caught your attention and you truly want to be not just a listener but a practitioner, before anything ask God to help you to be able to do that!
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5
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