Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Disciplining the Tongue
James  3: 1-6

  Dr. V. T. Samuel,
Trinity  MTC,  Houston
6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.
 
There are several references in the Bible on the need for discipline in our entire life.  In early childhood, a child is socialized based on the values and mores of the culture. In that process, children go through the process of positive or negative disciplining, both verbal and physical. Most of the time, the impact of such discipline lasts through a life time for good or for bad. In Hebrews 12:5-6, the author quotes from Proverbs 3:11-12 which admonishes us to have a disciplined life based on early childhood socialization.

 The passage for today’s meditation is based on James’ exhortation on practical Christian life.  The first six verses of James chapter 3, using the metaphors of bridle, rudder and wild fire, the writer highlights the need for disciplining the tongue. Large ships are guided by a relatively small rudder in comparison to the size of the ship. A powerful horse is reigned in by a bridle in the mouth. One has to be accountable for the words that come out of the tongue, a small part of our body.

 
Apostle James teaches that we should be extremely cautious and careful in our use of the tongue. It is more powerful than the rudder that guides the ship, the bridle that controls the horse, and the wildfire that destroys the huge forest. In our use of the tongue, we praise God, commend others, communicate our ideas, hurt others and sometimes say sorry when others have been hurt. In spite of the latest technological advances in communication, there is nothing short of personally apologizing or saying sorry to the person who is hurt by our words. 

 
In James 3:8 we read, “… but no man can tame the tongue, It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison”. Disciplining or controlling our tongues involves a honest and continuous effort. It begins in our childhood and continues till the end. Our Lord Jesus is the prime example for us to follow. Even on the cross, He never responded to the insults hurled at  him. For we read in I Peter 2:23 “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return…”  Instead, he offered the Paradise experience for the one-liner prayer of the other thief on the cross.

PRAYER

Eternal, ever loving and forgiving God, help us to discipline our tongues so that we may always use appropriate language to praise you and to communicate with others.  In Jesus’s name. Amen    
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
 
Preach the Gospel at all times….if necessary use words (St. Francis of Assisi).

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more