Ears to Hear and Tongues to Praise


Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
James 3:7‭-‬12 HCSB

Facebook shows us photos of all sorts of animals being tamed and getting along together, even with their known enemies. Some of these relationship downright surprise us. Facebook also shows us thr ugly side of mankind. How quickly we are inflamed to vilify others!
Petitions are thick and fast standing up to and for others we do not know. If they should reasonable we are apt to sign the petition.

There is a lot of noise, a lot of accusation and a lot of opinions that perhaps should not be spoken. What is the truth? I think James is telling us the truth. We are given a mouth that should be quick to praise and slow to condemn. Only God can tame the tongue. Firstly He makes us aware of our sin and our need, with conviction comes repentance and change.

Should we worry about what others say? No! Unless it is true and we need to repent. God uses strange things to speak to us. I believe if God can use a donkey to chastened Balsam, He can use a fool to chastened me. We need ears to hear what He is saying. If we hear God's voice come out of a strange place. Don't reject it just because the place is strange, ask God what He is saying. Amen!

I love James. He was the brother of Jesus. Living with him would have been interesting. He is frank and to the point, he does not mince words. (We Aussies say: beat around the bush) James the brother of John died in 44 AD, and so could not have written this epistle. James the son of Alphaeus was not indicated by tradition. Thus leaves James the brother of Jesus. James went on the lead the church in Jerusalem. He is an interesting guy.

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