Beyond the Weekend

July 9 | Managing Our Words

July 9, 2018

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:2a

Read: James 3:1-12

Listen: James 3

TODAY’S MESSAGE

James tells his readers how they speak is a big deal. James is a leader in the first-century church, and because of persecution, his congregation spreads across the Mediterranean world. James hears they aren’t getting along and wants them to change. To do this, he reminds them of the power of the tongue. James compares the tongue to a bit in the mouth of a horse and a rudder on a big ship. Both are small items that control something substantial. James tells his people that the tongue controls the body. How they speak matters.

Jesus says something very similar in Luke 6:45, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Things haven’t changed much in this regard since the first century. What we say demonstrates who we really are.

This week we will be looking at the power of the tongue. We will talk about how the way we speak shows whether we are mature or not, our words can do massive good, our words can do unthinkable damage, and we need to be on guard all the time.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

As you begin your week, try to gain an awareness of how you communicate with others. Ask God to help you pay attention to your speech. Be extra attentive to the words you say, the tone you use and your non-verbal communication. As you go through your day, be mindful of these things to find areas where you can grow.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

You Might Also Like