Working Out What God Has Worked In

Ephesians 4:25-32   

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin" (Psalm 4:4); Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.  

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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.   

Pray it:   

O my Father, help me to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to others in my world, seeing each of them as members of one Body. Help me to avoid sin in anger, but to recognize it for what it is and deal with it immediately, so that I won't give the devil a foothold. Father, if I have been stealing or dishonest in any way, reveal this to me, so that I will deal with that immediately, also; and I thank You for providing me the means to share with those in need.

Father, keep Your guard on my mouth, so that no unwholesome talk escape through my lips, but only speak what is helpful for building up others according to their needs, so that it will benefit those who listen, rather than myself. Help me to not grieve Your Holy Spirit with whom You sealed me for that great Day of Redemption. Help me rid myself of any and all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and every other form of malice. Teach me to be kind and compassionate toward others, forgiving and letting slights pass, just as in Jesus Christ You have forgiven me, much more than I will ever need to forgive another.   

My Tongue

James 3:1-12   

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We 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.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or 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. Likewise 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. The 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.

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

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

Pray it:

O my Father, You have granted me to have learned so much about You, Your Word and Your ways! When I presume to share some of that knowlege, please put Your guard on my mouth, to not presume anything, but speak only what You know the listener needs to hear.

Father, I know that in the past, my tongue has set ablaze a whole situation! Please help me to not do that again--help me to engage my brain before I put my mouth in gear! Help me always to give You praise, and to have ready honest compliments for those made in Your image. Help me to not criticize or find fault, but to recognize the good that You are doing, even in those who don't seem to know You yet. Help me to see others the way You see them, through Your eyes of love.  

A "Bad Hair Day"?

James 1:19-27   

Personalized:

My dear daughter, take note of this: I want you to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Your human anger does not bring about the righteous life that I desire for you, my dear. Therefore, get rid of moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent in your culture and humbly accept My word that I have planted in you, which can save you from that worldliness.

Do not merely listen to what I'm telling you, dear, and lie to yourself--do what I say. If you only listen to me and not do what I say, it's like looking at yourself in the mirror, and seing your hair a mess, then going off without fixing your hair; you can go all day as a "bad hair day" and not even realize it, but everyone else notices! But if you look into My word, which is perfect and gives you power to be free from social mores, and you don't forget it in the crunch--dear daughter of Mine, I will bless you in everything you do.

My dear, to show your love for Me, continue to trust Me to put my check on your tongue. Don't let yourself become polluted by the attitudes of your society.