James 3
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[wheel of birth] and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[brothers and sisters; also verse 12] these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
~ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
2 Timothy 4:2
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, St Francis of Assisi told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.”
We have adapted the phrase to say "Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words."
Youth Ministry has adapted this phrase to be, "Earn the right to be heard." And even more meaningful, "Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Jesus Christ."
We love to say Christians give Christ a bad rap, but we should also have mercy and say the world will always be at enmity with Christians.
Romans 8:7
The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
And also with this thought, life is a process - a journey, how are we to judge others when we are beset with weaknesses:
1 Kings 19:7
7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”
And the words of Jesus:
Luke 9:3
And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics."
Jesus Christ came to be our advocate and mediator. That does not make light of the people who lay down their lives for Truth, instead this is a remembrance God died for us.
Numbers 9:20
Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out.
Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this
Proverbs 22:19
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.
Proverbs 28:26
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
The best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world, might have adopted her Thanksgiving face as Signora del Giocondo ruminated on:
Job 13:5
If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
<>< !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drive Safely, Wave with Courtesy, Pray for the Other Guy, Always. And with constant prayer be filled with gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
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