Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 84
May 20, 2011
God Uses Unlikely People
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand....When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. (Exodus 2:11-12, 15, NIV)
We're all used to the stories of Moses--how his mother hid him in the reeds along the Nile River, how he faced down Pharaoh time after time, how he led the people of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.
But we sometimes forget the less-than-triumphant parts of the story, like the one above, where Moses killed a man and covered up the evidence. We don't remember him on the run from Pharaoh as a fugitive.
If you're like me, when you stop to consider this part of Moses' life, you puzzle over why God would use a criminal to do the work of leading out the Israelites.
I don't know about you, but it's stories like these that give me the most hope. I know what I am better than any other person. I'm a rotten, dirty sinner. I may not have shed real blood, but I've done more than my fair share of other crimes. And I suspect that if you were honest, you could say the same thing.
Moses isn't the only less-than-sparkly-clean hero in the Bible. King David, a man the Bible calls "a man after God's own heart, committed adultery with the wife of one of his top thirty men, then had him killed to cover up the evidence. Saul (Paul) held Stephen's cloak as he was stoned--a murder considered as justified and holy.
The truth is that none of us are worthy to be used by God, but He uses us anyway. He takes us as we are and changes us to be vessels He can use.
Father, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves worthy enough to serve You, but we're grateful that You choose to use us anyway. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of being Your servants and Your children. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We're all used to the stories of Moses--how his mother hid him in the reeds along the Nile River, how he faced down Pharaoh time after time, how he led the people of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.
But we sometimes forget the less-than-triumphant parts of the story, like the one above, where Moses killed a man and covered up the evidence. We don't remember him on the run from Pharaoh as a fugitive.
If you're like me, when you stop to consider this part of Moses' life, you puzzle over why God would use a criminal to do the work of leading out the Israelites.
I don't know about you, but it's stories like these that give me the most hope. I know what I am better than any other person. I'm a rotten, dirty sinner. I may not have shed real blood, but I've done more than my fair share of other crimes. And I suspect that if you were honest, you could say the same thing.
Moses isn't the only less-than-sparkly-clean hero in the Bible. King David, a man the Bible calls "a man after God's own heart, committed adultery with the wife of one of his top thirty men, then had him killed to cover up the evidence. Saul (Paul) held Stephen's cloak as he was stoned--a murder considered as justified and holy.
The truth is that none of us are worthy to be used by God, but He uses us anyway. He takes us as we are and changes us to be vessels He can use.
Father, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves worthy enough to serve You, but we're grateful that You choose to use us anyway. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of being Your servants and Your children. In Jesus' name, Amen.
May 19, 2011
Drawn Out
When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water." (Exodus 2:10, NIV)
Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.'" (Exodus 4:22-23, NIV)
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (Hosea 11:1, NIV)
The name Moses has various meanings, the first being "drawn out of water." Other meanings include "son" and "savior/deliverer."
In the Bible, a person's name was a part of who they were. Not only was Moses "drawn out", but he became God's chosen vessel to "draw out" or deliver the Hebrews from slavery to the Egyptians. So his name was a prophecy of sorts.
Later, in Exodus 4, God tells Moses to let Pharaoh know that He sees Israel as His firstborn son. Any attempt by Pharaoh to separate God and His son would be met with a separating of Pharaoh from his son.
Do you realize what this means? We are God's children and co-heirs with Christ. Any attempt by anyone to separate us from our God will be met by the powerful hand of our Almighty Father!
The above verse in Hosea looked back to the time when Moses, through God's power and direction, led the Hebrew people out of slavery to the Egyptians, but (and this is where the story gets REALLY good) this was also a prophecy fulfilled by Christ!
In a similar threat by King Herod to kill all the male babies, Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt, and it was from there that God drew Him out (Matthew 2:15). And His purpose? To draw us out of slavery to sin.
All honor and power and glory belong to You, God. How great You are! Thank You, Lord, for providing us with a Deliverer in the person of Jesus. Thank You that by His death and resurrection He set us free from slavery to sin and death. Amen.
Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.'" (Exodus 4:22-23, NIV)
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (Hosea 11:1, NIV)
The name Moses has various meanings, the first being "drawn out of water." Other meanings include "son" and "savior/deliverer."
In the Bible, a person's name was a part of who they were. Not only was Moses "drawn out", but he became God's chosen vessel to "draw out" or deliver the Hebrews from slavery to the Egyptians. So his name was a prophecy of sorts.
Later, in Exodus 4, God tells Moses to let Pharaoh know that He sees Israel as His firstborn son. Any attempt by Pharaoh to separate God and His son would be met with a separating of Pharaoh from his son.
Do you realize what this means? We are God's children and co-heirs with Christ. Any attempt by anyone to separate us from our God will be met by the powerful hand of our Almighty Father!
The above verse in Hosea looked back to the time when Moses, through God's power and direction, led the Hebrew people out of slavery to the Egyptians, but (and this is where the story gets REALLY good) this was also a prophecy fulfilled by Christ!
In a similar threat by King Herod to kill all the male babies, Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt, and it was from there that God drew Him out (Matthew 2:15). And His purpose? To draw us out of slavery to sin.
All honor and power and glory belong to You, God. How great You are! Thank You, Lord, for providing us with a Deliverer in the person of Jesus. Thank You that by His death and resurrection He set us free from slavery to sin and death. Amen.
May 18, 2011
Faith's Reward
Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" "Yes, go," she answered. So the girl went and got the baby's mother. Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you." So the woman took the baby and nursed him. (Exodus 2:7-9, NIV)
Our steps of faith are always rewarded by the One who sees us and knows our hearts.
Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for Moses' mother to take her beautiful baby boy and put him to float on the Nile. Yet she did it because she loved him. She couldn't bear the thought of "casting him in the direction of the Nile" as Pharaoh had commanded, so she protected him the best she could in the papyrus basket covered with tar and pitch, then sent her daughter to watch over him.
God, in His providence, allowed the daughter of the man who'd condemned the babies to death to find baby Moses. Not only that, but He caused the daughter to have compassion on the baby. Then He allowed Moses' mother to nurse the baby for payment.
What an awesome God we serve! He provides for our needs, grants us protection and rewards our faith (which is also a gift from Him).
Lord, we praise You for who You are--Provider, Protector and Almighty God. Thank You for giving us the ability to trust in You. Grow our faith, Lord, so that we might serve You better. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Our steps of faith are always rewarded by the One who sees us and knows our hearts.
Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for Moses' mother to take her beautiful baby boy and put him to float on the Nile. Yet she did it because she loved him. She couldn't bear the thought of "casting him in the direction of the Nile" as Pharaoh had commanded, so she protected him the best she could in the papyrus basket covered with tar and pitch, then sent her daughter to watch over him.
God, in His providence, allowed the daughter of the man who'd condemned the babies to death to find baby Moses. Not only that, but He caused the daughter to have compassion on the baby. Then He allowed Moses' mother to nurse the baby for payment.
What an awesome God we serve! He provides for our needs, grants us protection and rewards our faith (which is also a gift from Him).
Lord, we praise You for who You are--Provider, Protector and Almighty God. Thank You for giving us the ability to trust in You. Grow our faith, Lord, so that we might serve You better. In Jesus' name, Amen.
May 17, 2011
Only One Generation Away
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV)
Have you ever stopped to consider that we're only a generation away from complete godlessness? People are turning their backs on Christianity, and ultimately Christ, at an alarming rate, and it's our fault.
Why is it our fault?
Because people aren't stupid. They see a huge disparity between what we profess and how we live.
This isn't a new problem. Every generation has seen it in some form or fashion. Consider these words spoken by Gandhi: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Shame on us all!
Gratefully, it's not too late. We can improve and make a difference. But the only way we stand a chance is to become imitators of God by living a life of love just as Jesus did.
Father, forgive us for hypocrisy. We confess that we say one thing and then live in ways that contradict what we say. Help us, God. We're frail clods of dirt, and our strength is puny at best. Teach us to imitate You through living a life of love and sacrifice. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have you ever stopped to consider that we're only a generation away from complete godlessness? People are turning their backs on Christianity, and ultimately Christ, at an alarming rate, and it's our fault.
Why is it our fault?
Because people aren't stupid. They see a huge disparity between what we profess and how we live.
This isn't a new problem. Every generation has seen it in some form or fashion. Consider these words spoken by Gandhi: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Shame on us all!
Gratefully, it's not too late. We can improve and make a difference. But the only way we stand a chance is to become imitators of God by living a life of love just as Jesus did.
Father, forgive us for hypocrisy. We confess that we say one thing and then live in ways that contradict what we say. Help us, God. We're frail clods of dirt, and our strength is puny at best. Teach us to imitate You through living a life of love and sacrifice. In Jesus' name, Amen.
May 16, 2011
Unthwarted
Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. (Exodus 2:1-3, NIV)
Pharaoh had already placed the order condemning all Hebrew male babies to a cruel and torturous death in order to keep the Hebrews from becoming too powerful for the Egyptian army. But Pharaoh didn't realize that his opponent wasn't just the Hebrews, but the Hebrews' Almighty God.
The lesson of this passage is that God's plan will not be thwarted. He'll use Hebrew midwives, a basket made of papyrus, and even the Pharaoh's daughter to carry His plan out.
Lord, help us to remember that You are Almighty and All-Powerful. No schemes of man can thwart Your plan and purpose. Help us to take comfort in the fact that You are Sovereign God and You are in control. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
It would be wise of us to remember when we make our human plans and schemes that God's plan will be carried out one way or another.
Pharaoh had already placed the order condemning all Hebrew male babies to a cruel and torturous death in order to keep the Hebrews from becoming too powerful for the Egyptian army. But Pharaoh didn't realize that his opponent wasn't just the Hebrews, but the Hebrews' Almighty God.
The lesson of this passage is that God's plan will not be thwarted. He'll use Hebrew midwives, a basket made of papyrus, and even the Pharaoh's daughter to carry His plan out.
Lord, help us to remember that You are Almighty and All-Powerful. No schemes of man can thwart Your plan and purpose. Help us to take comfort in the fact that You are Sovereign God and You are in control. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
It would be wise of us to remember when we make our human plans and schemes that God's plan will be carried out one way or another.
May 13, 2011
Soaring
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV)As this post is published to cyberspace, I hope to be soaring over the Grand Canyon in a small airplane. As exhilarating as I'm sure that flight will be, it doesn't come close to comparing with the soaring that we all do when we hope in the LORD and He renews our strength.
The word picture being painted here suggests an exchange. God is taking our puny human strength and replacing it with His unlimited power.
Have you ever noticed that the times when we're weak and powerless, weary and faint, stumbling and falling are the very times that we've taken our hope away from the LORD? Only when we keep our hope anchored in the Rock of Ages can we soar like eagles.
Thank You, God, for giving us the ability to hope in You so that we might experience the strength that can only come from You. You alone can cause us to soar above the worries of this world. Only in You can we run this race without growing weary and without fainting. May we be quick to turn to You in hope when we feel ourselves growing weak and weary. In Jesus' name, Amen.
May 12, 2011
First Things First
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, "When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?" The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. (Exodus 1:15-21, NIV)
What courage the Hebrew midwives showed! They not only disobeyed Pharaoh's order to kill the male babies, but also stood up to him when they were questioned. While they did lie to protect themselves, at least they had the courage to respond.
But the real key is why they defied Pharaoh's order--because they feared God. In reward for their fear, God gave them families of their own.
Proverbs 9:10 says that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." This isn't the kind of fear that makes you tremble and cringe, but a reverent awe and joy in who God is and what He's done.
Fearing Him above all others brings the reward of wisdom and so much more. Jesus put it this way:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Father God, thank You for the story of the Hebrew midwives and how they chose to obey You rather than man. Thank You for their example of fearing You and the picture of how You rewarded them. Teach us to fear You the way we should, Lord. Only then can we being to be wise. Help us to put You first, above every other person and every other thing, including ourselves. In Jesus' name, Amen.
What courage the Hebrew midwives showed! They not only disobeyed Pharaoh's order to kill the male babies, but also stood up to him when they were questioned. While they did lie to protect themselves, at least they had the courage to respond.
But the real key is why they defied Pharaoh's order--because they feared God. In reward for their fear, God gave them families of their own.
Proverbs 9:10 says that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." This isn't the kind of fear that makes you tremble and cringe, but a reverent awe and joy in who God is and what He's done.
Fearing Him above all others brings the reward of wisdom and so much more. Jesus put it this way:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Father God, thank You for the story of the Hebrew midwives and how they chose to obey You rather than man. Thank You for their example of fearing You and the picture of how You rewarded them. Teach us to fear You the way we should, Lord. Only then can we being to be wise. Help us to put You first, above every other person and every other thing, including ourselves. In Jesus' name, Amen.
May 11, 2011
Blessing Others
Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed Pharaoh, Pharaoh asked him, "How old are you?" And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers." Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence. So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to the number of their children. (Genesis 47:7-12, NIV)
As I read this passage in my quiet time, the word "blessed" seemed to jump from the page, and I realized that in many ways we've lost the art of blessing others, especially verbally.
While it's true in a sense that God is the One who blesses, I believe those of us who belong to Him are called to bless others as well.
I know this idea of verbally blessing others may seem a little foreign sounding in today's society, but bear with me. God made this promise to Abraham:
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:3, NIV)
This promise was ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Christ. But in addition to that awesome fulfillment, those of us who have become co-heirs with Christ have His Spirit living within us. We're a part of that Abrahamic promise just as Jacob was. Because of His presence with us we have the capability of spreading that blessing all around us.
My prayer is that everything I do and say will be a blessing to others. Sadly, I confess that I don't always live up to that prayer, but I continue to strive toward it.
Here's my blessing for you today, and it's the best one I know.
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)
As I read this passage in my quiet time, the word "blessed" seemed to jump from the page, and I realized that in many ways we've lost the art of blessing others, especially verbally.
While it's true in a sense that God is the One who blesses, I believe those of us who belong to Him are called to bless others as well.
I know this idea of verbally blessing others may seem a little foreign sounding in today's society, but bear with me. God made this promise to Abraham:
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:3, NIV)
This promise was ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Christ. But in addition to that awesome fulfillment, those of us who have become co-heirs with Christ have His Spirit living within us. We're a part of that Abrahamic promise just as Jacob was. Because of His presence with us we have the capability of spreading that blessing all around us.
My prayer is that everything I do and say will be a blessing to others. Sadly, I confess that I don't always live up to that prayer, but I continue to strive toward it.
Here's my blessing for you today, and it's the best one I know.
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)
May 10, 2011
It's Time To Wipe Off the Tarnish
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12, NIV)
A recent lesson in the children's Sunday School class I teach used the Golden Rule as the memory verse. As we sat and discussed why the rule was important and how different life would be if we lived out the implications of the scripture, it dawned on me that kids get it a whole lot better than we adults do.
Want others to treat you with respect? Treat them with respect.
Want others to love you? Love them.
Want others to befriend you? Befriend them.
Want others to say nice things about you? Say nice things about them.
Want others to forgive you when you mess up? Forgive them.
Kids understand this. Maybe it comes from being confined in a room with other kids at school all day. I don't know, but I do know this: it's high time that we adults wipe the tarnish off the Golden Rule and start living by it. (And when I say "we" that includes "me.")
After speaking the command to treat others the way we want to be treated, Jesus goes on to say that these few and simple words sum up the Law and the Prophets (in other words, practically the entire Old Testament!). Jesus also used the phrase of "the Law and the Prophets" in this passage:
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:34-40, NIV)
To put it another way, following the Golden Rule is the same thing as showing love to your fellow man.
Father, forgive the lack of love in our hearts and in our lives. Help us to love You and others the way You want us to. Help us to treat others the way we want to be treated. Help us to "get it" and then live it. In Jesus' name, Amen.
A recent lesson in the children's Sunday School class I teach used the Golden Rule as the memory verse. As we sat and discussed why the rule was important and how different life would be if we lived out the implications of the scripture, it dawned on me that kids get it a whole lot better than we adults do.
Want others to treat you with respect? Treat them with respect.
Want others to love you? Love them.
Want others to befriend you? Befriend them.
Want others to say nice things about you? Say nice things about them.
Want others to forgive you when you mess up? Forgive them.
Kids understand this. Maybe it comes from being confined in a room with other kids at school all day. I don't know, but I do know this: it's high time that we adults wipe the tarnish off the Golden Rule and start living by it. (And when I say "we" that includes "me.")
After speaking the command to treat others the way we want to be treated, Jesus goes on to say that these few and simple words sum up the Law and the Prophets (in other words, practically the entire Old Testament!). Jesus also used the phrase of "the Law and the Prophets" in this passage:
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:34-40, NIV)
To put it another way, following the Golden Rule is the same thing as showing love to your fellow man.
Father, forgive the lack of love in our hearts and in our lives. Help us to love You and others the way You want us to. Help us to treat others the way we want to be treated. Help us to "get it" and then live it. In Jesus' name, Amen.
May 9, 2011
Fire Danger: HIGH
My husband is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is set in the midst of what is known as high mountain desert. The area depends greatly on melting snow run-off and its monsoon season for moisture, so on years when there is little snow and rain, the dry timber in the mountain forests becomes a tinder box. It only takes one carelessly thrown cigarette butt or spark from an engine to cause massive devastation. I've grown accustomed to the signs throughout the region that show the current fire danger.
Oh, that we would heed the high fire danger in our own lives. James, the brother of Jesus, expresses it this way:
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (James 3:5-6, NIV)
One carelessly spoken word of complaint, criticism, accusation, or gossip can unleash a fire that not only causes devastation in the body of Christ, but devastation in our own lives. Nothing is more terrifying than an out-of-control fire. That's why it's imperative that we remain on high alert when it comes to our speech and why we should take quick action to get it under control.
The truth is that all of us are guilty. James says that "no human being can tame the tongue." (James 3:8) We all fail when it comes to controlling our speech. I might never breathe a word of gossip, but what about complaining? Do I stop to consider how my complaint might affect someone else? You might never complain, but in the company of friends you criticize a mutual acquaintance. Have you ever stopped to think what that criticism might unleash? Why are we so insensitive to the words we speak? Why do we continually wish we could yank those harsh words we spewed back into our mouths?
And it's more than just a sin against our fellow man. It's a sin against God Himself.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10, NIV)
God is both our Lord (Master) and Father. He created us in His image. When we praise God and then turn around and verbally abuse our brothers and sisters, we are contradicting ourselves. James likens it to a salt spring trying to bear fresh water.
So how do we bring our fire-spreading tongues under control? Again, James offers wise advise:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19, NIV)
Dear Lord and Father, Forgive our fiery tongues and the disaster that always comes. May we be quicker to listen than to speak, and even quicker to think before we open our mouths. When we feel ourselves growing angry, give us the wisdom to step away and cool down before a fire spreads. Forgive us for our unstable ways--for praising You in one breath and cursing our brother in the next. Help us to do better--to be better--for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Oh, that we would heed the high fire danger in our own lives. James, the brother of Jesus, expresses it this way:
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (James 3:5-6, NIV)
One carelessly spoken word of complaint, criticism, accusation, or gossip can unleash a fire that not only causes devastation in the body of Christ, but devastation in our own lives. Nothing is more terrifying than an out-of-control fire. That's why it's imperative that we remain on high alert when it comes to our speech and why we should take quick action to get it under control.
The truth is that all of us are guilty. James says that "no human being can tame the tongue." (James 3:8) We all fail when it comes to controlling our speech. I might never breathe a word of gossip, but what about complaining? Do I stop to consider how my complaint might affect someone else? You might never complain, but in the company of friends you criticize a mutual acquaintance. Have you ever stopped to think what that criticism might unleash? Why are we so insensitive to the words we speak? Why do we continually wish we could yank those harsh words we spewed back into our mouths?
And it's more than just a sin against our fellow man. It's a sin against God Himself.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10, NIV)
God is both our Lord (Master) and Father. He created us in His image. When we praise God and then turn around and verbally abuse our brothers and sisters, we are contradicting ourselves. James likens it to a salt spring trying to bear fresh water.
So how do we bring our fire-spreading tongues under control? Again, James offers wise advise:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19, NIV)
Dear Lord and Father, Forgive our fiery tongues and the disaster that always comes. May we be quicker to listen than to speak, and even quicker to think before we open our mouths. When we feel ourselves growing angry, give us the wisdom to step away and cool down before a fire spreads. Forgive us for our unstable ways--for praising You in one breath and cursing our brother in the next. Help us to do better--to be better--for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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