SUNDAY'S SACRED SCRIPTURES...

Once upon a time, I was very outspoken; OVERLY outspoken, which, I thought it was a good thing! Then, I LEARNED the opposite, more wise way of asking *GOD* to help me use my mind before my tongue, and to measure my words carefully, though, I still have moments when things just roll off---

You see, our emotions cause us to be rash, to speak, act, and react PRIOR to honestly assimilating what is happening! This is worsened when those around us egg us on, and incite us! Self-control is a hard asset to come by, but one of the most valuable ever! To simply let the mouth run off the emotions, well, it is foolish, lacks grace, and creates problems, or worse...

The tongue is quick to speak, to respond, to retort, to deliver improperly, which might, or might not, represent what is TRULY in the heart, but a general gist of a person IS detected in their restraint, or lack of, concerning what comes out of their mouths! I HAVE experienced times when I was SO embarrassed by what slipped out of my mouth, in the heat of the moment, or in the fire of a tough situation, and it IS very difficult to retract what you say, if even given the chance to, plus, we ARE judged by such to at least, some degree...

Christians are a HOLY priesthood for THE LORD; we ARE CALLED to be mature, and to utilize self-control, AS we RELY ON HIM to guide us, direct us, and lead us! All through the NEW TESTAMENT, there are reminders for the Christian, and the comm'UNITY' IN CHRIST JESUS...

Let's take a look at some of the instructions: 
JAMES 3: 1-12... 
1+++Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 
2+++For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 
3+++Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 
4+++Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 
5+++So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 
6+++And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 
7+++For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 
8+++But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
9+++With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 
10+++from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 
11+++Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
12+++Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell.  

No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate. That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions.  

True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent! Pious and edifying language is the genuine produce of a sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear curses, lies, boastings, and revilings from a true believer's mouth, any more than they look for the fruit of one tree from another. But facts prove that more professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in duly restraining their tongues. Then, depending on Divine grace, let us take heed to bless and curse not; and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions.

EPHESIANS 4: 31...
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. You must put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. It is the duty of Christians to seek, by the blessing of God, to bring persons to think seriously, and to encourage and warn believers by their conversation. 

Filthy words proceed from corruption in the speaker, and they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of all such discourse.  It is the duty of Christians to seek, by the blessing of God, to bring persons to think seriously, and to encourage and warn believers by their conversation.

Be ye kind one to another. This sets forth the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Mark how God's forgiveness causes us to forgive. God forgives us, though we had no cause to sin against him. We must forgive, as he has forgiven us. All lying, and corrupt communications, that stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt passions of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice, grieve the Holy Spirit. Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious influences. The body will be redeemed from the power of the grave at the resurrection day. Wherever that blessed Spirit dwells as a Sanctifier, he is the earnest of all the joys and glories of that redemption day; and we should be undone, should God take away his Holy Spirit from us. 

COLOSSIANS 3: 1-17...
1+++Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
2+++Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 
3++++For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
4+++When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5+++Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 
6+++For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 
7+++and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 
8+++But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 
9+++Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 
10+++and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 
11+++a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12+++So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 
13+++bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 
14+++Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 
15+++Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 
16+++Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 
17+++Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 

As Christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with God in gospel obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and affection to the one will weaken and abate affection to the other. Those that are born again are dead to sin, because its dominion is broken, its power gradually subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall at length be extinguished by the perfection of glory.  

To be dead, then, means this, that those who have the Holy Spirit, mortifying within them the lusts of the flesh, are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly. Christ is, at present, one whom we have not seen; but our comfort is, that our life is safe with him. The streams of this living water flow into the soul by the influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith. Christ lives in the believer by his Spirit, and the believer lives to him in all he does. At the second coming of Christ, there will be a general assembling of all the redeemed; and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall then appear with him in his glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this?

It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments. It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. The gospel changes the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the rule of right reason and conscience, over appetite and passion. There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life. It is the duty of every one to be holy, because Christ is a Christian's All, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness.

We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. 

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are full of the Scriptures and of the grace of Christ. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ's name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father. 

1 PETER 2: 1-3...
1+++Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 
2+++Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 
3+++now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart; and hinders our profiting by the word of God. A new life needs suitable food. Infants desire milk, and make the best endeavours for it which they are able to do; such must be a Christian's desires after the word of God.

Read all of ROMANS 13, GALATIANS 5, COLOSSIANS 2 & 3, 1 JOHN 2, and JAMES, all 5 chapters! There IS more, but this will do for now!!!

We ARE works IN PROGRESS; bit by bit we ARE BEING MADE INTO OUR REALITY, OUR TRUTH; HOLY SERVANTS OF THE MOST HIGH LORD *GOD*, SOVEREIGN KING, SAVIOUR, and RIGHTEOUS RULER OF THE ENTIRETY OF CREATION! IN this, we HAVE a hand; we are to be willing, and open, as well as diligent, and deliberate; EVER standing in LOVE, and peaceable with ALL, as much as is feasible by means of KNOWLEDGE, and UNDERSTANDING, AND actual utilization of HIS WILL!!!

There are MANY behaviours a Christian should NOT possess anymore, but which won't go away immediately, HOWEVER THROUGH allegiance, and adherence TO HIM, and HIS WILL, we SHALL be victorious IN our efforts TO become LIKE HIM, and therefore, pleasing HIM!!!

Today, we SEE and HEAR what lack of knowledge, understanding, and self-control HAVE wrought in this world, as well as we ARE experiencing the ugliness of those effects, as animosity, hostility, violence, and worse take center stage OVER what is right, just, and good, THUS we HAVE to, AS HIS OWN, bury ourselves IN HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, HIS WORD, THAT we ARE being, and doing what REFLECTS HIM, and SHOWS the world just how AMAZING HE IS, and HOW PERFECT ARE HIS WAYS FOR our existence, and ultimately, eternal LIFE!!!

Sanctification, and consecration IS being set APART from the world, and so, it makes little sense that those who claim CHRIST JESUS as their LORD, and SAVIOUR, be so wrapped up in the world, and it's ways, that they cannot SHINE OF HIM FOR HIS GLORY, and the greater good of ALL! Let us then, RECALL THE AWESOME LOVE, GRACE, and MERCY BY WHICH WE HAVE been brought INTO HIM, as we TRAIN ourselves to think, speak, act, and react ACCORDING TO OUR HIGH standing! Just as the world NEEDS HIM, they NEED HIS people, for WE ARE those who reach out to the lost, the suffering, the agonizing, the confused, the lonely, the downtrodden, and so forth, THAT they ARE set FREE BY HIM!!!

LWINSOR © 2017
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS