Text:
James 1:19-20 (NLT)
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Observation:
How do you view the temptations you face in your life? Where do you point your finger, and what do you say with your mouth? The bible says this.
James 1:13-14 (ESV)
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
We are all tempted. However, it is not a sin to be tempted. The sin is to yield to temptation. In this we have divine hope, and help.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV)
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
The tongue is an unruly member of the body. Notice what the bible says about the tongue.
James 3:5 (ESV)
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
What is the source of the problem with the tongue? The bible identifies the source of what comes out of the mouth. We have a heart problem, and not a mouth problem. Only God can change the heart.
James 3:14 (ESV)
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
How then shall we live? How do we turn the truth that we believe into what comes out of our mouths? The answer is to draw near to God. In Him alone is truth, and righteousness. Living in His presence daily will give you the power to change your heart to be more like His heart, and to tame your tongue.
James 1:19 (NLT)
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Prayer:
Father, I exalt You name above every name on earth and in heaven. Father, this is the prayer, and the cry of my heart for me, and for my brothers and sisters in the name of Jesus the Messiah of God. Amen.
Psalm 19:14 (KJV)
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:
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