It is not good to be boastful in ourselves. Our foolish pride will lead us down paths that only yield destruction. How is this? Because we have chosen to lift ourselves up before God. God cannot come inside of us until we are made humble. Do not think that you are a master of your own will. What you gain, in this life, is only from God. To Him, we ought to give thanks on daily basis in prayer. Do not glory in your own doings but glory in God for what He has done inside of you. James teaches, 1“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” Even in our faith, to be boastful in our doings is not fruitful in the sight of God. Our own good works mean nothing if they are not of God. In doing so, we are pointing out that we are doing great things aside from God’s help. To be arrogant in our own well-being is not a steward of God. Lower your pride and examine your works before God. Do you think that your form of living is good in His sight? How about the words that come out of your mouth. Think about what you say on a daily basis. Is this pleasing to God? We are taught that 1“the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” Our foolish pride can lead us to say some pretty bad things. Watch yourself!
I have met so many people that call themselves Christians, however, their life is not for the Lord. They live apart from His will. There desires trump what the Lord would have them do. In conversation, they don’t hold back from swearing. They don’t hold back from talking about lewd and worldly things. They have not allowed the Lord to do a work inside of them. Their tongue has not been tamed and therefore the Lord does not know them. James continues his teaching, 1“the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” Our course is hell, if our tongue continues to offend our bodies. People can try to change their lives and how they speak to others but this tendency cannot be broken without God’s intervention. 1“The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” If someone is true to their intention to change their lives, they will call upon the Lord to set them free. There longings to be cleansed and walk a new in Christ the Lord is the only thing that will help. Humble yourselves and get on the Lord’s path. In doing so, a true change will occur that will last a lifetime. The Lord will make peace with your members and set you in motion to follow Him.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, lower the pride from people’s hearts and minds. Help them know that lifting themselves up is only bringing them further from You. Help them know that what they say is heard in the heavens. There tongue needs to be tamed. Bring these people to their knees. May they understand the person they have become. I know Lord, that I was once lifted up in my life. I could not tame my own tongue and the lusting’s of my heart. What I would speak about was so crude. I am so grateful that You took this lifestyle from me. I was on such a dark and destructive road. Only You could change me from the inside out. I now know that all good things come from You. Anything good that has ever come from my life, I give You all the glory. I give you all the praise. Thank You for doing such great things in my life. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for forgiving me of all my failures. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1James 3 (KJV)
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
