Either One or the Other

Either One or the Other

James 3: Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! ⁶ And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. ⁷ We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures—wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. ⁸ But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. ⁹ We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen! ¹¹ No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. ¹² A fig tree, my friends, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water.

 

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Laughter was my attraction as I approached the crowd. Jokes about a particular teacher made us giggle. They teasingly added my name with the association of this teacher. I quickly disassociated myself from the teacher in front of everyone. Little did I know, the teacher was coming down the stairs and heard my words.

 

• I was trying to be a good in front of the teacher and side with the mean crowd.
• I was trying to side with both sides.
• I was trying to fit in all over the place.

 

James addressed double-mindedness in a different way. He talked about the “tongue” being tiny, yet very powerful. The words spoken can be full of hate or love.  He then explains how words affect who we are.

 

My Observations:

• My words need to be tamed so I can speak about JESUS without sounding hypocritical.
• My words need to turn into actions so they should not be filled with hate or slander.
• My words need to be gentle so I can be consistent in my actions.

 

Poisonous words are dangers to speak. I mean, joining in with the crowd may seem like a good idea, but when it includes talking about someone in a negative way, I become susceptible to adding poison to my own heart without knowing it. This poison seems innocent, because “everyone else” is doing it. BUT GOD wants better.

 

HE desires that I tame my tongue so it is not wild and full of venom. HE sees my thoughts and gives me a choice. Either choose poison or “sweet water.” In other words, choose GOD or choose the world. I am glad GOD can help me with my words so my heart can be healed.

 

Challenge

• What comparisons does the writer use?
• Have you ever said something that seemed like an innocent comment about someone, but was a negative joke?
• Will you ask GOD to help tame your tongue so you can present GOD to others in a loving, peaceful way today?

Words Pave Roads

Words Pave Roads

John 4: ³⁹ Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. ⁴¹ And because of his words many more became believers.

⁴² They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

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“You can do it!” screamed my teammates as I attempted to pass an opponent in a track meet. My body didn’t feel like it at first. I was saying to myself “I’m tired” but their words encouraged me to keep running. I passed the person and came in 8^th place!

• When I listen to negative words I feel like giving up.
• When I listen to negative words I feel like I cannot do anything or be anything or see anything.
• When I listen to negative words I put on a negative face and tell others negative words.

Excitement filled the streets of Samaria as the woman told everyone about JESUS. “HE told me everything I ever did” she said, not leaving any sin out. She used her sin as an encouragement, no longer feeling shame. The town responded, “We know this man is the Savior of the world.”

• GOD wants me to speak words of HIS encouragement.
• GOD wants me to speak words of HIS power.
• GOD wants me to speak words of HIS love.

Telling people “You can do it” does have temporary results, until they face a GOD sized problem that seems so overwhelming that no solution can be had. BUT GOD tells me to say something different. HE tell me to say “You can do anything when you are connected to GOD’s power who is the one who gives strength.”

Words are too powerful to waste. I can speak negatively all day or I can tell people of how much GOD loves them, protects them and desires the best for them. I am glad I heard the right words to put me on GOD’s path.

• Are you saying negative words more than encouraging words?
• Do you see what is wrong more than you see what is right?
• Will you listen to the HOLY SPIRIT today and allow HIM to transform your words into those of GOD’s kingdom?
• Will you hear that you are special to GOD and HE loves you?

Clean Lenses

Luke 11: ³³ “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.³⁴ The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. ³⁵ Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. ³⁶ If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”

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Traffic was more heave this particular day. “Why does that person keep darting in and out?” I said to myself. “And why is the radio playing the same song over and over?” “Why is it so dark and cold?” I made it to my destination and someone asked “What’s wrong?” They could see something on my face that I couldn’t.

• Sometimes I am full of complaints.
• Sometimes I see the world negatively.
• Sometimes I see more problems than opportunities.

JESUS seems to be speaking on the outlook on life. Whatever enters the spiritual eyes affects the entire mindset and actions of the looker. If I use sin as my filter, then my mindset will be bent towards sin, same with negativity, doubt and fear. BUT GOD has an answer.

• GOD wants me to see more situations through HIS eyes.
• GOD wants me to look at the day with the same loving view HE looks through.
• GOD wants me to reduce my negative, complaining, fearful view and replace it with faith, truth and love.

Perspective is extremely important to GOD. If I see people with a negative view then they I will be quick to point out how wrong they are. GOD wants me to lift people up so they can grow in CHRIST. HIS blessings are poured out on me on the darkest days. GOD is my shield. HE clears my eyes.

• How do you see things?
• Does everything seem like a disaster to you?
• Can you stop thinking negatively and look at the day, and people, the way GOD sees them?

Rejoicing

Luke 1: ³⁹ Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, ⁴⁰ and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

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With car now dented, I had to drive around town with less pride than before. It was raining this particular day and when I tried to roll up the window it tilted and I could only roll it up part of the way. “And now my stinky life is complete” I thought to myself as I headed off to clean toilets at work.

• Sometimes I was not filled with joy.
• Sometimes I thought life really stinks.
• Sometimes I could only see the negative in life.

Two women held the most joyous conversation in history. Miracle babies would be born around the same time and one would redeem the world. I can only imaging the conversation as they spoke quickly and with deep excitement! The HOLY SPIRIT was in the middle of their conversation as they spoke of “belief.”

• GOD wants me to focus on HIS promises when I am feeling glum.
• GOD wants me to practice my belief when I am feeling down.
• GOD wants me to look at HIS deliverance when I am feeling low.

Life has a daily choice. I can spend each day down or I can choose to rejoice in spite of situations. GOD has already blessed me and all I need to do is sit back and watch HIM fulfill HIS promises with the might HE has.

• Are you down right now?
• Do you think everything around you is falling apart?
• Can you focus on GOD instead of looking at the waves splashing around you?
• Will you believe today?

Word Power

Mark 13: ²⁸ “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.²⁹ So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it^[f] is near—at the doors! ³⁰ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

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My limit had been reached. The person kept taunting me and I could not hold it in any longer. I blasted the person with a torrent of obscenities and degradations I had practiced in my mind. It felt better. I was superior!

• There were times I just wanted to bring someone down.
• There were times I wanted to just rip into a person.
• There were times I wanted to simply tell the person what I thought about them and make sure they never forgot my words.

JESUS says to HIS disciples that the earth would be destroyed someday. All the work humans thought was important would eventually disappear. But what will happen?

• GOD says to me “Pass MY words to as many people as you can.”
• GOD says to me “MY words do not go out without substantial return.”
• GOD says to me “Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will by no means pass away.”

Words spoken by JESUS are eternal so HE chose them carefully. HE wants me to do the same. Instead of practicing poisonous negative words filled with complaints and doubts, JESUS wants me to practice HIS words. GOD’s words are filled with compassion, love kindness and gentleness towards me. HE wants me to pass this on with abundance.

• Are you ready to curse someone out?
• Have you been replaying negative words over and over in your mind and are on the verge of spewing them out towards someone?
• Can you ask GOD to adjust your thinking and have HIM remove the poison so HIS sweet, sweet words can flow from your mouth today?

Heavenly Words

Matthew 16: ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

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With a towel tucked into the back of my shirt, I immediately transformed into a flying superhero! My neighbor would try to blast me with their death ray and claim my demise. I would retort with “Uh uhn! I had my shield up that bounces off your death ray!” Apparently I also had the super power of words, because that worked.

• When I was younger I wanted super powers.
• When I was a child I wanted special abilities.
• When I was immature I wanted to be a hero who saved everyone.

Peter was given a very special ability to speak and make supernatural things happen, but it came with a special focus. His super power was to point people to the “church” which is CHRIST JESUS. With mere words he was able to capture souls or turn away evil.

The FATHER has revealed JESUS as the Messiah to Peter and the basis of Peter’s exclamation “YOU are the CHRIST” was the foundation of the church. Peter now had super powers to say this and have people believe in JESUS.

• GOD has given me super powers to speak about HIS kingdom.
• GOD has given me supernatural abilities to make heavenly things happen on earth.
• GOD has given me special talents that only I can do to reach certain people.

Having these super powers comes with super responsibility. Every word out of my mouth has to be put in heaven first. I mean, I should be slow to speak and think about what I am saying. I should then ask GOD for the right words and move accordingly. My thinking and belief should follow HIS guidance. I see GOD’s words are much more powerful than any super hero can be!

• Do you want to be considered “special?”
• Would you like supernatural abilities?
• Can you start believing in GOD and speaking about HIS SON in a faithful way today?

Negative or Positive

Ezekiel 13: ²² Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, ²³ therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

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It was a small still voice that told me to encourage this particular person so I did. That person desperately needed to hear the words of encouragement. The next day there was a preacher who said some words in a way that I did not agree. “I wonder if I need to tell that person what they did wrong?” was the first thought that came to mind.

• Sometimes I want to discourage the righteous people with “my” opinion.
• Sometimes I want to dishearten the righteous people with “my” thinking.
• Sometimes I want to disagree with the righteous people because I want “my” voice heard.

When I want the spotlight so badly I may try to argue “my” point or fight to be heard rather than being led by GOD. This quarrelsome behavior causes discouragement rather than building people up for the LORD, meanwhile I have not gone to the people who “do” need to hear encouragement to change their ways. GOD wants me to make a choice.

• GOD wants me to choose my words carefully and not twist HIS words into mine.
• GOD wants me to stay away from discouraging words by seeking the best for people.
• GOD wants me to encourage people to change their ways and focus on GOD rather than looking at me.

Negativity is all around, from television to work to neighbors, it is hard pressed to hear an encouraging word. BUT GOD says “encourage people to follow ME.” GOD is truly amazing, I feel encouraged by HIS word.

• Are you speaking negativity?
• Do your words tear people down or build people up?
• Can you stop using your poisonous negative words and build “that” person up?
• Will you go out and encourage a person to follow GOD today?