James' Thoughts On Taming Our Tongues

The Bible | St. James

[franky]

James 3

Taming the Tongue

1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise 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. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[1] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

[franky]

Things we should all consider when posting. Peace be with us.

[Starwind]

( ( ( ( (Crickets) ) ) ) )

[Starwind]

I think the noise from all the smiting of hip and thigh has drowned out your otherwise edifying post.

[Between the Lines]

Excellant post! I would also like to add Romans 15:1-7 for consideration when posting.

Romans 15

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

[Freemeorkillme]

Bump for an edifying, bible-basics thread!

FMOKM

[Freemeorkillme]

I must admit, I'm a little lost as to what you are referring to when you posted the following to franky:

I think the noise from all the smiting of hip and thigh has drowned out your otherwise edifying post.

[Starwind]

Galatians 5:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

[Starwind]

The Calvinism/Arminianism bashing threads

[xJones]

Bump, to be remembered personally.

[Freemeorkillme]

ok, but "the smiting of hip and thigh"... that one still has me stumped. Can you spell it out for a recent "Religion" thread browser?

[Starwind]

Judges 15: (KJV)
7 And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.
8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
9 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.

It is an alusion to the 'verbal' brawling that takes place on the religion forum threads

[Between the Lines]

Bump for an edifying, bible-basics thread!?

If that is what we are having here, then we will need to bring this along:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ---Ephesians 4:29

[Freemeorkillme]

I've noticed much of this in the small time I've been browsing this section. Very divisive. Not becoming. Not much worship and praise being uttered. That's the most disturbing thing.

What happens when a believer turns to this thread for encouragement and ministering to by fellow believers? He is turned away by the vitriol of denominationalism.

Don't get me wrong. I have seen gentle, humble posts explaining to another brother or sister one aspect or another of either the error of one's perceptions(through the word) or and interpretive exposition of the original posters intent.

I, for one, can do nothing if it were not for my Savior. He desires, deserves and demands our worship.

[Freemeorkillme]

thanks, btl, I've gathered what has been going on, unfortunately.

[Starwind]

I don't know quite what to tell you. I agree with every word of your post. The new Religion Moderator is working to remove the vitriol which is so evident to all, save those spewing it.

We can pray for God to convict hearts and minds of unseemly worldly behavior, and we can speak the truth in love.

Love without truth is hypocrisy.

But truth without love is brutality.

The latter, I think, is where we're at and what the new RM is working to fix, without turning the entire forum to pillars of salt.

[Freemeorkillme]

Well said.

Perhaps, this posting on James may be taken as a token olive branch or a symbol of repentance.

franky, I'd love to hear your input on this subject.

Give it all to Him,

FMOKM

[Starwind]

Perhaps, this posting on James may be taken as a token olive branch or a symbol of repentance.

I suspect the olive branch would be distorted as mote in someones eye, and that a season of exile is in order.

[Between the Lines]

The most disturbing thing to me, is that many good Christians have been driven from this forum or driven to only lurking here for the very reasons you have mentioned. If someone does not belong to one of the large cliques or a swarm, then most likely their visit here will result in a negative view of this forum. It is all very sad really.

The FR Religion Forum should carry a warning label.

[Revelation 911]

The most disturbing thing to me, is that many good Christians have been driven from this forum or driven to only lurking here for the very reasons you have mentioned. If someone does not belong to one of the large cliques or a swarm, then most likely their visit here will result in a negative view of this forum. It is all very sad really.

this is our witness campers - and by what we will be judged

I suggest we all ponder that

cc:Between the Lines;freemeorkillme;xzins;corin stormhands;p-marlowe;connectthedots;vernon;drstevej;ccwoody;rnmomof7;alex murphy;carepubgal;dr. eckleburg;gamecock;fishtank;wrigley;religion mod;nobdysfool

[Revelation 911]

btw - your insight is appreciated