And The Tongue Is A Fire...
James 3:6
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.
It is amazing to me to think how strong of a warning this is, and yet we find in churches very few who even try to control their tongue.
In modern church they believe it to mean not swearing, or not telling dirty jokes. Albeit they are correct, but that is only the smallest of infractions where this is concerned.
I find that the topic I bring up is not practiced hardly anywhere, it is regarded as ridiculous, or superspiritual (if there is such a thing) men only accuse you of being superspiritual, when they are afraid that the standard spoken of is to high for them to meet.
James 3:1
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
In modern church we find men who do not realize the judgement which is being stored up for them. I say judgement without the slightest fear of anyone's disputing it. Jesus said that we would be judged for EVERY idle word that comes out of our mouth.
What a tragedy it is that our "teachers" do not prize a fitly spoken word, and the practice of silence.
When I say "the practice of silence", I am referring to this: Making one's life practice to keep silent unless the Lord has told you what to say. It says teachers will incur a STRICTER judgement, not a more pleasurable one. That means that the fire that tries their works will burn hotter than anyone else's. Think about the price that you will pay for speaking words frivolously, or out of place.
Grace will not cover them.
I Corinthians 3:13-15
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. if any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
HE SHALL SUFFER LOSS
I think most people must skip over that part, no it's not covered by the blood, and it's not talking about unbelievers either. It is talking about those who do not guard thier tongues, and those who do not guard their actions. They have not consecrated themselves to the Lord. They utter praises with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him.
Guard your tongue oh teachers, for in it is held life and death, you instructors of the word,
Are you fasting?
Are you praying?
Are your words daily in account before a Holy wrath filled God?
Take your tongue and put a lock upon it, that only what is right would proceed out of your mouth. Not just simply offering a prayer before you speak, (although that is honorable) but let this be the staple of all that you do and say.
To speak only His words, and otherwise to be silent.
_________________ Benjamin Williams
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