Edifying vs. Contentious Speech |
Editor’s Note —The James Code is dedicated to “those special and sacrificial pastors, their wives, and in most cases, their widows in Mission:Dignity who have given their lives to serving others so often in “out of the way places,” and who are now in their declining years. While in ministry they lived in church-owned homes and received smaller salaries, and now, in their retirement years, are in financial need. We are on a mission to bring them dignity, and it is an honor being Christ’s hand extended to them. All royalties from Dr. O.S. Hawkins' books The James Code, The Jesus Code, and The Joshua Code go to support these servants through Mission:Dignity.” (Learn more about Mission:Dignity at www.guidestone.org/ * * * Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. — James 3:5-8 An ExplanationHaving spoken about the potential of the tongue to direct speech for the good, James then warned that the same tongue also has potential for evil. Words controlled by our Master can be directed in a positive way, but uncontrolled speech can be contentious and destructive like fire and poison. An IllustrationPeople living in Southern California who know the danger of ravaging brush fires driven by desert winds can readily identify with James’s words here: An ApplicationJames reminded us that the tongue is destructive like fire or poison and “is set on fire in hell.” Behind every spoken word of divisiveness or filth or rumor or anger is Satan himself. Just Do It!We’ve all had times when we wished we hadn’t said what we said and then watched the little spark result in a raging fire we couldn’t control. No wonder King David prayed, * * * Excerpted with permission The James Code by Dr. O.S. Hawkins, copyright Thomas Nelson. |
Are you hungry?? Hungry for something you haven't been able to fully wrap your mind around?? Hungry to dig deeeper into the wonderous depths of our Creator and Heavenly Father God??? Then come on in... this blog is a posting of various thoughts and ramblings both from self and others. Enjoy!!
Why the Blog? Why Passion?
For those of you who don't know me, this page may appear at first glance to be a shrine to a particular group or a particular people. However, I hope that you are able to see past the seeming repentiveness and see the heart behind the words, videos, and images.
Shortly after first moving to Texas in 2002, I became acquainted with a ministry/movement called Passion. At first hearing, it was quite evident in the things that they stood/stand for and the passion with which they indvidually and corporately live out their lives, that Jesus Christ the Son of God and Saviour of the World, was the heartbeat behind it all.
Ever since that first introduction, I have seen time and again, the genuiness and transparency with which this group of people live their lives out.
More for my own self than anything else, I started this blog as a place to collect these images, thoughts, and videos, along with other things that God spoke and revealed to me that I might re-visit them from time to time...
Short of printing everything out and makes books and books of "inspirational stufff" I decided to compile everything right here, and rather than just being for myself, I thought you might want a peek into my world.
Shortly after first moving to Texas in 2002, I became acquainted with a ministry/movement called Passion. At first hearing, it was quite evident in the things that they stood/stand for and the passion with which they indvidually and corporately live out their lives, that Jesus Christ the Son of God and Saviour of the World, was the heartbeat behind it all.
Ever since that first introduction, I have seen time and again, the genuiness and transparency with which this group of people live their lives out.
More for my own self than anything else, I started this blog as a place to collect these images, thoughts, and videos, along with other things that God spoke and revealed to me that I might re-visit them from time to time...
Short of printing everything out and makes books and books of "inspirational stufff" I decided to compile everything right here, and rather than just being for myself, I thought you might want a peek into my world.
Friday, November 20
Edifying vs. Contentious Speech
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