Watch Your Mouth

James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (KJV)

Before you accept the role of a teacher, or preacher, take thought as to what you say, and make sure you know that what you speak is in line with the word of God and the way He intended it to be taught. It’s one thing for those that choose to walk away from the Lord and ignore His counsel; but it is quite another for those that mislead and help them down the path of destruction by their words.  

Matthew 18:2-7 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, (3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (7) Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (KJV)  

What would you think of someone that misled your child, and they ended up dead? Your Father in heaven is not pleased when He sees one of  His not only forsake the path of life, but is helped along this slippery slope of destruction by those that profess to know God, but end up to be wolves in sheep’s clothing. The ones that should be teaching the children to swim are actually throwing them off the deep end, and they end up drowning in destruction and despair. Woe unto them.  

James 3:3-4 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. (4) Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. (KJV)  

We have all seen how big ships can get; ocean liners and cruise ships have gotten bigger and bigger over the years. And yet they are still turned about by a small rudder, which if turned ever so slightly off course in the beginning, can end up way off by the time it reaches the other side of the ocean. You too have a rudder, a spiritual steering wheel, and if you keep a watch on this at all times, you won’t end up running aground and shipwrecked. Your words are either steering you in the direction of the Lord, or you have been blown off course by a contrary wind of doctrine coming out of your own mouth.  

Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV)  

When the winds blow, the waves get choppy, and you are in the midst of the storms of life; will you hold fast to your course, or be blown away by some new age doctrine of man? By speaking the truth in love, it will allow you to keep on course and let the Lord continue to navigate the ship just as He did with Noah, rising above the storm.  

James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (6) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (KJV)  

When a fire is set, it can cause all kinds of damage and destruction, as well as leading to death. The drier the climate, and the windier the conditions are can cause these fires to spread quickly and cause more damage. Our lower fallen nature is what leads us on this course of hell; and those that speak contrary to sound doctrine will find themselves being charged for spiritual arson. It only takes a little fire, a spark to set off a wildfire of destruction and burn anyone that would get into its path. Woe unto them that start it.  

Mark 7:15-16 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. (16) If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV)  

We are surrounded daily by all sorts of things that are contrary to the word of God. Songs, movies, magazine articles, talk radio, and the truth be known many groups and organizations that claim to be of God, but end up defiling themselves with words of destruction. It’s what you allow to come out of your mouth that will either bring life or death to those around you, and you will give account of it someday before the Father. So if you are the one that caused a fire and others got burned, you too will receive the greater condemnation.  

James 3:7-8 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: (8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (KJV)  

Man has found all kinds of ways to curb or restrain animals, which is what the word tame means, and yet no man is able to tame their own tongue. In order to speak with a new tongue one would need a new heart renewed in words of life in order to keep their words in check.  

Psalms 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (KJV)  

Are you watching your mouth Church? Our old nature is full of deadly poison which is distributed by our tongue, killing any growth within us as well as around us. Our new nature is one that should be speaking words of life, like a fountain of living waters. So set a watch and not a fire, so you don’t get burned.  

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.