Watch Your Tongue

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” – James 1:19-21

Very seldom do any of us go from joy to anger quickly.  You can normally feel it building, sense that the emotions are slipping down the hill of control.  It’s often times little things, the things that happen to us over a period of time that cause the volcanic eruption of anger and in many cases words that we wish we could take back.  That’s just it though, once those words leave your mouth and fall upon the ears of those around you, the impact has been made.  And like toothpaste, it can't be put back.  Then, others will fire back with a volley of their own which only insights further degradation and stimulates the beast within to engage even more in the battle.  Before you know it, you are in a full-out war of words, and the anger is out of control.

You and I both know that these outbursts demonstrate a lack of control and should be avoided.  We fully comprehend the destructive nature of losing our tempers, yet how often do you find yourself regaining your composure before the damage is done?

Peace, love, and humility come from the Lord.  These are not characteristics that are of the world, but of God.  Inherent in each of us from the moment of our conception is the love from heaven and the peace of God Himself.  From birth, we begin a slow decline into the ways of the world, which can only lead us to unrighteousness, pain, and suffering.  We can watch the slippery slope of tolerance over the last 20 years through our acceptance of perversion, crude and lewd behavior, lack of respect for others, and the selfishness that has become our human race.  We’ve stood on the sidelines and watched as the media, movies, television, and the internet have invaded our homes with disgusting filth, language, and immoral behavior.  We have accepted it as freedom of speech and allowed it to become commonplace.  Who’s taking a stand against the onslaught and manipulation of our minds?

I hope it’s you.  I hope as God-fearing, loving Christians, we are all taking a stand for truth and justice.  The Holy Spirit dwells within you and is in a constant battle for your awareness. It’s not a battle with Satan, though; it’s your own mind.  Your mind is filled with whatever those with the microphone want you to believe.  Most of us are too busy to question or challenge the injustice in this world, and so we tolerate it and move on with our busyness.  These messages, these images, these words, and these lies are filling your mind and heart and challenging the very nature of the spirit the Lord has placed inside of you.  You know right from wrong, good from evil, and what unrighteousness looks like; yet we continually allow it to push God aside for the sake of our own interests. 

James is telling us, from 2000 years ago, to focus on God’s word, the Holy Spirit, and find the peace, love, and righteousness that can only come from above.  You will not find it from one another, from the media, or the internet.  It comes from the word of God and the relationship you have with the Father.