Hidden Manna

Wednesday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubGCISQQ7Zo

28 July 2010 Wednesday Bible study.

James 3:7-10, 7 This is scary: You can tame a tiger, 8 but you can't tame a tongue — it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. 9 With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. 10 Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends this can’t go on. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

James 3:7-10, 7 For brute nature under all its forms--beasts and birds, reptiles and fishes--can be subjected and kept in subjection by human nature. 8 But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth there proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be. (Weymouth NT)

For a moment consider this thought: what do you think it would have been like growing up with Jesus Christ of Nazareth as your half brother? What do you think that your mental picture of yourself would be after putting up with Him the biggest part of your childhood? Can you even imagine let alone comprehend what it would be like growing up with someone who was never wrong? Who always had the correct answer? Who always behaved himself according to the precepts of God?

Very few people have ever even consider this kind of a thinking process concerning what it would have been like to grow up next to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. So for a moment than, consider what it may have been like for James growing up under these conditions; what kind of affect do you think it had on him? Do you think at first he may have been a bit put off by his half brother? Do you think that maybe for a few years it may have pushed him away from God?

It is when one begins to consider these things that they are than able to begin to have some understanding and insight into his teachings on the importance of the tongue, and the words which the tongue presents. Remember that it is one thing to hear teachings on a subject and then try to grasp that which is being presented by a teacher if one is teaching from second hand knowledge. What about when one is presenting something from life’s very experiences? Is one more inclined to be more attentive then?

Over the years people have criticized my approach to the importance of the words which we speak, because they think it is not relevant in today’s world. Let us not forget that God’s Word, and Jesus Christ, are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. God has given us a proper example of proper words throughout the Bible. Man tries to change words to justify his lifestyle. Who will you believe?