This teaching through James chapter 3 was given by pastor Barry Forder at our Sunday Service on 24th May 2020.
In this chapter, James drives home just how dangerous the tongue can be, and how much damage can be caused by either rash and hasty remarks, or by words that were intended to wound.
Behind this there is the greater issue of the heart – “for out of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
If the direction of influence into our lives is from the world, the flesh and the devil, our hearts (and tongues) will produce corrupt fruit and we will find ourselves blessing God one moment and cursing man whom He created the next. A spring does not produce both bitter and pure water, because it is fed from only one source.
So it should be with all those who profess with their mouths that they follow Jesus (Rom 10:9) – the flow of influence into their lives should be from God (reading His Word / Fellowship with believers / constant prayer) so that with a new heart (Psalm 51) and a renewed mind (Rom 12:1-2) they can guard against the pride the drives the tongue.
May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.
