How To Control Or Train Your Tongue
James 1:26 "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."
The strange thing about this verse, is that I personally, don't 'claim to be religious' - rather, I follow Jesus. I have a relationship with Jesus. However, in the eyes of someone that does not have that relationship, or doesn't understand the difference between different 'religions' - call ALL church people "religious". They use the term for people that they see that go to church, act different in situations, and or seem to follow a different standard or set of rules. Good or bad - "religion" can swing to both extremes.
What jumped out at me in this one, is that we can be just as fooled as outsiders. We can do what seem to be 'good works' and 'follow the rules' of what ever it is we believe in.... BUT, if we don't control our tongue.... well, it is like we shatter glass every time we speak and our words (maybe even actions too) become worthless. The other strange thing is, that for some of us who use colorful language on a regular basis, we may not even realize we do it! "Lisa Marie, how can someone possibly NOT know they are cursing?!?!" you might ask. Well, if it is what they are brought up with, or surrounded with on a daily basis, it becomes 'filler words' for them, slang even. Think of this for a minute: every time you talk you use the word 'and' or 'umm' or 'but' when sharing things to someone.... do you even realize that you do it? Probably not. That is the "same uncontrolled tongue" as someone cursing. It is a mindless habit. So, really, we cannot 'judge' someone for having a potty mouth, if we too are filling space with words of emptiness when we talk. To the person that does not yet have a relationship with Jesus, they hear it as worthless words, no matter what we are trying to share with them. Ouch!!
To have "worthless religion" is a sad thing indeed. I don't want that for you! I want you to be able to share the love you have for and with Jesus to others, and they actually SEE and HEAR what you are saying about Him and be drawn to Him through you, your words and actions. I am praying for you to have success in controlling your tongue and the words that come out of your mouth. "How To" control your tongue today: pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you as you talk to others. I challenge you to actually 'think' before you talk. Then actually 'listen' to yourself as well. If you are super brave, then ask someone you trust to 'monitor' you and tell you if you are using foul language or filler words. Now, if you are willing to change, you will only find the strength to do so with the help of Jesus by your side. Yes, I KNOW He can and will help us be free from the bondage of improper speech and control our tongue and speech - all we have to do is sincerely ask for Him to remove it, change it, and control it. Really, it CAN happen!! It has happened to me and to several others I know as well. I'll be praying for you. Be well and be safe today!
The strange thing about this verse, is that I personally, don't 'claim to be religious' - rather, I follow Jesus. I have a relationship with Jesus. However, in the eyes of someone that does not have that relationship, or doesn't understand the difference between different 'religions' - call ALL church people "religious". They use the term for people that they see that go to church, act different in situations, and or seem to follow a different standard or set of rules. Good or bad - "religion" can swing to both extremes.
What jumped out at me in this one, is that we can be just as fooled as outsiders. We can do what seem to be 'good works' and 'follow the rules' of what ever it is we believe in.... BUT, if we don't control our tongue.... well, it is like we shatter glass every time we speak and our words (maybe even actions too) become worthless. The other strange thing is, that for some of us who use colorful language on a regular basis, we may not even realize we do it! "Lisa Marie, how can someone possibly NOT know they are cursing?!?!" you might ask. Well, if it is what they are brought up with, or surrounded with on a daily basis, it becomes 'filler words' for them, slang even. Think of this for a minute: every time you talk you use the word 'and' or 'umm' or 'but' when sharing things to someone.... do you even realize that you do it? Probably not. That is the "same uncontrolled tongue" as someone cursing. It is a mindless habit. So, really, we cannot 'judge' someone for having a potty mouth, if we too are filling space with words of emptiness when we talk. To the person that does not yet have a relationship with Jesus, they hear it as worthless words, no matter what we are trying to share with them. Ouch!!
To have "worthless religion" is a sad thing indeed. I don't want that for you! I want you to be able to share the love you have for and with Jesus to others, and they actually SEE and HEAR what you are saying about Him and be drawn to Him through you, your words and actions. I am praying for you to have success in controlling your tongue and the words that come out of your mouth. "How To" control your tongue today: pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you as you talk to others. I challenge you to actually 'think' before you talk. Then actually 'listen' to yourself as well. If you are super brave, then ask someone you trust to 'monitor' you and tell you if you are using foul language or filler words. Now, if you are willing to change, you will only find the strength to do so with the help of Jesus by your side. Yes, I KNOW He can and will help us be free from the bondage of improper speech and control our tongue and speech - all we have to do is sincerely ask for Him to remove it, change it, and control it. Really, it CAN happen!! It has happened to me and to several others I know as well. I'll be praying for you. Be well and be safe today!
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