Title James 03:1-11 Speak with Faith
Contents
Speaking by faith [James 3:1-11]
People express their thoughts through words. Statistics show that people spend roughly 1/5 of their active time talking. It is said that a man speaks about 20,000 words a day, and a woman speaks about 30,000 words a day.
Since words are the outward expression of a person's thoughts, we must listen to them in order to know what others think. Conversely, the words I spit out show my thoughts, and in the end, I will be able to evaluate my character based on what I say.
The Bible also deals with the importance of our language life in great detail. In addition, it is teaching that we who have faith should be renewed and changed in our language life. If there is no error in speech, he is defined as a perfect person, asking us to build language training in faith. It is a word that encourages our language training while reminding us of how a wild horse is governed and how a big boat is steered.
1. the power of the tongue
It is written that horses are bridled to rule their wildness. These days, there is not much opportunity to see other than horses used in horse racing. But the horses at the racetrack are said to be amazing. It is said that it is over 180 cm tall and usually weighs 1000-1500 kg. It is a race to fight for the lead by striking such horses and making them run at speed. The jockey riding on the horse must not weigh more than 45 kg. However, with one piece of iron in the horse's mouth - the bridle, he can control the large horse as he pleases.
Our tongue, if well trained, can lead to great success in life.
The same is true of the analogy of the ship. The ships entering our Mokpo Port do not exceed 50,000 tons at most. However, I heard that the ship that Brother Kwang-hee, from Mokpo Marine University, was on was over 500,000 tons. It is larger than any other building, floating in the water. How is that large scale adjusted? With a single key hanging from the tail, the direction can be changed at will. It is said that the words we use have such power and become the key that determines the direction of our lives.
Not only that. It is said that our tongue is as powerful as fire. Therefore, it can be a dangerous tool that can save your entire life. Every year in the fall season, our country puts a period of emphasis on fire caution. Moreover, a large forest fire occurred in Yosai, causing great damage. Can you guess how powerful such wildfires are? In general, it is thought that if there is an interval of about 5m, the flame cannot be spread (against fire). However, the last wildfire that occurred in Goseong crossed a river (width 100m). Isn't it said that the lost sanya can only be restored after 50 years? Don't the sparks that start the big fire start with a matchstick or a cigarette butt?
The Bible warns us that if our tongue is not disciplined and well taken care of, it will lead to great wrath. It teaches that Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit”, and whoever believes in it says, “Set a watchman before my mouth, O LORD, and shut the door of my lips. Keep it.” (Psalm 141:3).
Take a look at your language life. Is your tongue well controlled? Are your mouths full of words of love, encouragement, and hope? Or are there more accusations, slander, and envy? In what way do you expect God to pay you back?
2. Untrained Tongue
One day the Pharisees and scribes protested when they had to find Jesus. "Why don't your disciples wash their hands when they make bread?" Then Jesus gave a meaningful answer. “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:11) “Things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these defile a person. What comes out of the heart is evil. Thoughts, murders, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, and blasphemy, these things defile a man, and eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man” (Matthew 15:18-20). He pointed out what is contained in a person's heart, and that the state of contamination is expressed outwardly through language, which is a much more serious corruption than unwashed, dirty hands.
We grew up as the years passed and we grew older. This is often referred to as growth. It is true that our bodies have grown and we have grown into adults through physiological phenomena. So can we say that the words we use have matured that much? no. It would be an honest confession to say that we have degenerated our language life more than in any other way.
We have become adults who tell lies without changing the color of our faces. I have the courage to share obscene rumors without knowing any shame. It has reached the level of enjoying slander and gossip without even having time to examine the authenticity. Rather, I have become entangled in a habit where speaking of honesty, chastity, praise, and respect is more uncomfortable than speaking some foreign language. If we leave our tongues untamed, our mouths will undoubtedly not stop pouring out lies, lewdness, slander, and complaints without hesitation. Therefore, our language life must be refined through training. How best to train?
It is said that a very strict 'silence' discipline was practiced in medieval monasteries. The more you talk, the more mistakes you make, so silence is the best way. A man decided he had to change his language too and entered the monastery. The rules of the monastery were simple. The training continued for three years, and he was allowed to speak only two words a year. That person began his intensive training life. When I prayed and meditated, I kept my mouth shut even when I saw people for a year. He can speak two words, so he opened his mouth after a year and said, "A hard bed!" And on the second year, he said two more words, "Cold rice!" On the day of completing the last year and completing three years of training, I said two more words. what do you say? "It's over!" How hard would it have been to say that? But isn't it because the abbot sees the person leaving after three years of religious life and judges him as 'disqualified'? "That person has said nothing but complaints in three years," was the reason.
Language training is not just about changing words while keeping the mind intact. We have to change the mind, the source of the words. If you practice silence, learn rhetoric, and learn eloquence, but don't change your mind, you run the risk of even greater hypocrisy and lies. Our language training is not about 'sound' but about 'heart'. So, not just training, but 'belief' is required. Because the only thing that renews the mind is 'faith'.
3. Taming with Grace
In Psalm 19:14 there is a prayer, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before you." It is important to know that what I say is not only heard by those in the same room as me, but by God everywhere. It is true that our conversations change a lot depending on who the other person is. Even if you tell the same truth, you express it very carefully in front of some people, and in many cases you talk freely in front of others. However, when we come to believe that God is listening to everything we say, our language life can change significantly. When we see and realize that God hears and tolerates all our words and does not cease to love and favor us, our complaints and dissatisfaction will be greatly reduced.
People are the same at heart. Evil thoughts coexist in the best of people without exception. What matters is which side you choose to speak and act on. No matter how big or small, there are always wounds, resentments, and disappointments. But it is faith that keeps it from pouring out with venom. Christians must be able to filter out those toxins with the grace they have received from the Lord.
Look at Joseph. When Joseph was reigning as prime minister of Egypt, his brothers came before him to ask for food to avoid starvation. Why didn't he have any hatred towards his brothers because it was Joseph? The hardship of living as a slave and the pain of being confined in prison must have passed like a lantern. What does Joseph pour out to his brothers, having seized the opportunity to retaliate desperately this time? "Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, and as they drew near," he said, "I am your brother Joseph, and you sold me in Egypt. You have sent it before.” (Genesis 45:4-5)
Look at the apostle Paul! How hard must it have been to be accused, arrested, tortured, and imprisoned because of the fact that we often preach the gospel? But what words came out of his mouth? “I want you to know, brethren, that what happened to me has made progress in the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12) “Rejoice always! In everything give thanks!” "I do not regard my life as of any value in the least to complete the mission I received from the Lord Jesus."
For those who do not have faith or who have not experienced God's grace, aren't they interpreting and speaking with their lips the experience of only complaining and resentment as a condition of gratitude and as a basis for joy? They were people who knew what God made our mouths for.
God created our mouths to be used in praise. “Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise” (Psalm 51:15).
God made our mouths to be used for Amen. “All the promises of God are yes in Christ, so that through him we say Amen to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
God made our mouths to be used to pray for peace. “Pray for peace as you enter that house” (Matthew 10:12).
God made our mouths to be used to encourage. “Take care of one another, encouraging love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
If we are not tamed with this word of God, our tongue will never be tamed with anything else. It would be better to train a viper to dance, and it would be easier to train a lion to put its head in its mouth. Our tongues and mouths are far more difficult to tame than them. Not by the Word of God, but by faith, it would be impossible to control. Don't tell yourself that I'm better than anyone else