James 3:4-8
[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.
One rumor = One Match
One issue = One Spark
One problem = One Coal
In other words, it only takes a little sentence or something small to start something huge, similar to a fire, that is almost impossible to put out.
The tongue is such a small part of the body, but goes such a long way.
What about other than words? As we know, actions speak louder than words!
James 3:11-12
[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.
We can’t have it both ways! Simple as that!
Proverbs 16:19-23
[19] Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
[20] He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
[21] The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
[22] Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
[23] The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
It is better to be open and loving, compassionate and to dwell there with others in a church service. It is definitely better to serve one another with these humble qualities! People then will get help that way!
Understanding is a wellspring! It only comes from a deep, spiritual learning experience that God through the Holy Ghost can teach you.
Proverbs 16:32
[32] He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
The more control that we have over our flesh by having a stronger spiritual life, you shall be better than mighty, and can take the cities (have control over the things that try and bring you down)!
Proverbs 21:23
[23] Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
If we can learn to be bigger than a conversation of the enemy, you can spare yourself from much trouble!
Proverbs 22:24-25
[24] Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
[25] Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
We need to be careful to watch our words, as well as the company that we are in. The longer that we stay in that, the more we become it.
Always remember some old adages:
– We are what we eat
– We are what we speak
– We feel based on how we act and our countenance
In essence, we will become what we are surrounded with!
Luke 11:9-13
[9] And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
[10] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
[11] If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
[12] Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
[13] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Let’s see the patterns:
Ask…shall be given
Seek…ye shall find
Knock…shall be opened
Asking is requesting from God by your spoken words.
Seeking is requesting from God from your spoken word and actions.
Knocking is requesting from God as an action.
So in other words, we do not communicate to God by spoken word alone, but by our actions also. Everything in a service counts for something! It is for someone or for you! It is worth the obedience!