Rein It In!

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

At our Tuesday night Bible study at Fellowship Alliance in Medford, we are studying the book of James. Jesus’ brother gives blunt, straight-forward messages on life, God and what his big brother taught. What inspired me write this blog was chapter 3 and how it was presented. We all know that the tongue can produce the good, the bad, and the ugly of people. But our speaker that night, Phil Morgan, gave points I’ve never thought of before. The tongue can be used to DELIGHT, DIRECT, or DESTROY.

 

Psalm 19:14 – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable to you.” We must use words that will lift up our brothers and sisters, not tear them down or belittle them. James uses the metaphor of the Bit and the Rudder which controls the horse and the ship. But who’s controlling the bit and the rudder? Without guidance from us, the ship and horse will go wherever they please. We need to Delight in our words.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:5 – “May the Lord direct your hearts to Gods love and Christs endurance.” The Bible gives us directions on how to live our lives and how not to – so it can positively influence the lives of those that do teach the people that wish to learn more about Christ and to follow Him. False teachers will lead us down paths of no return. The group/table leaders that I have encountered at these Bible studies have been great. They know how to lead and involve others. They have “bridled their whole bodies” being pilots of Godly wisdom to the men that surround them. And they Direct us like a seasoned captain in a storm.

 

James 3:8 – “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Phil mentioned the old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” This phrase couldn’t be further from the truth. Physical wounds can heal, words can last a lifetime and traumatize people which they may never recover from. Men and women have their hands on the reins, or the rudder, of life. How we chose to steer them is the big question. Do we use our words to tear people down or to build them up? Do we let outside sources break us or bind us together? John 10:10 says, “A thief comes to steal, kill and Destroy. I have come so that they may have a life and have it in abundance.”

 

An uncontrolled tongue goes wild with nothing to stop it! Time to take the reins!

 

Thanks to Phil Morgan and the amazing Men of table 4 for the inspiration for today’s Blog!!

 

 

Written by Robert Breault: Robert was blessed to work 8 years in the Keswick Raws kitchen and is now retired, well, almost. He’s a loving husband to Shirley, a wicked stepfather to Shirley’s three “Angels”/children, and a doting Pop-Pop to their two grandchildren, Charlotte and Max. But most important, he is a child of the one true King!

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6