____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ November 4, 2007 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Some Outstanding Evil Characteristics of Our Tongues (Don R. Hastings) 2) How to Grow Spiritually (Rodney Britton) ____________________________________________________ -1- Some Outstanding Evil Characteristics of Our Tongues by Don R. Hastings In the first part of James 3, God revealed the tremendous power of the tongue. In James 3:7-12, God made known to us some outstanding evil characteristics of the tongue. We need to be aware of these characteristics and diligently guard our tongues to keep them from practicing these things (Prov. 13:3; 21:23). With David, we should pray and ask Jehovah to "set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips" (Psa. 141:3). God has told us how to possess happiness (1 Pet. 3:10-12). Refraining one's "tongue from evil" is essential to living a good life! Studying James 3:7-12, we learn several evil characteristics of the tongue. An outstanding evil characteristic of the tongue is that it: Cannot Be Tamed God intended that man should "have dominion" over all animals when He created them (Gen. 1:27, 28; 9:1,2; Psa. 8:4-9). Man has used the animals of this earth for his benefit. He uses them for food, work and enjoyment. It is not wrong to kill and eat animals (Gen. 9:3; Acts 20:13). Man can subdue and control animals, but he hasn't learned to subdue and control his tongue. You cannot trust your tongue to always speak words which are good and proper. You cannot trust your tongue to the point that you unloose it and let it speak without first carefully considering what it will say. In an unguarded moment, it will say very cruel and ugly words. Is A Restless Evil Like a wild beast moving back and forth in its cage, seeking an opportunity to escape and mangle its victim, so is the tongue. The evil that the tongue is capable of doing cannot be quenched and pacified to the extent that it ceases to desire to work its harm. That's why it can't be tamed! Is Full Of Deadly Poison We fear the rattlesnake, coral snake, etc., because they possess deadly poison. If you live in Florida long, as I have, you probably have many snake stories to share. I am no exception, as I have had many close calls, being the outdoors man that I am. We fear a bottle with the picture of a skull and crossbones on it, and the word "poison" written on it. If you were to walk into a room and your little child was holding such a bottle with the cap off, a feeling of horror would come over you. I am sure my mother and father had the same feeling the time I was two years old and swallowed roach tablets. I assured my mother, on the way to the hospital, "I not die. I not a roach." But, my reasoning didn't calm her at the time. We should greatly fear the improper use of the tongue for it can kill physically and spiritually (Prov. 18:21). People, who gossip and slander, are like slithering snakes carrying a sac of poison, ready and eager to strike and inject the poison (Psa. 58:4; 140:3; Mt. 3:7). Guy N. Woods put it this way: "Those who would shrink in horror from the thought of plunging a sword into the heart of another will, nevertheless, indulge in malicious gossip that drives a sword through the heart in a manner far more painful than any possible physical injury" (New Testament Commentaries: James, Guy N. Woods, p. 168). Do your words ever kill good intentions, good will, initiative, hope, good morale, good reputations, or spiritual-mindedness? The person who said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" -- lied. Is Often Used Inconsistently Christians should use their tongues for the most noble use of all and, that is, to praise, glorify and bless the Lord. The Christian's tongue may also be used for an evil purpose -- cursing men. What a great, inconsistent and unholy use of our tongues. William Barclay writes, "Many a man speaks with perfect courtesy to strangers and even preaches love and gentleness, and yet snaps with ungracious and impatient anger and irritability at his own family at home. It has not been unknown for a man to speak with piety on Sunday and to curse a squad of workmen on Monday. It has not been unknown for a man to utter the most pious sentiments one day, and to repeat the most questionable stories the next. It has not been unknown a woman to speak with sweet graciousness at a religious meeting, and then to go outside to murder someone's reputation with a malicious and a gossiping tongue" (The Letters of James and Peter, William Barclay, p. 105). Man is "made after the likeness of God" (Gen. 1:26,27). The person who despises a human-being despises God (1 Jn. 4:20,21). How we treat our fellow man is how we are treating the Lord (Mt. 25:24-36; Acts 9:5). The person who blesses God but curses man is a hypocrite (Psa. 62:4)! How can we curse mankind: Who are God's handiwork? Whom God loves (Jn. 3:16)? For whom Christ died (Heb. 2:9)? Whom God desires to save (1 Tim. 2:3,4)? If we think that God is going to be pleased with the honor we give Him with our lips, while we speak vile, filthy, hateful words about and to others, we are deceived! Christians required by God to bless those who "persecute you" (Rom. 12:14). We are not to return evil for evil (Rom. 12:17,21). If we curse those who curse us, we have lowered ourselves to their level and encouraged them to continue in their sinful ways. Under the law of Moses, children who cursed their parents were to be put to death (Ex. 21:17). There is no justification for cursing others. Christians are required by God to bless those who "revile you" (1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Pet. 3:8,9). Jesus didn't curse those who reviled Him (1 Pet. 2:23; Mt. 27:39-44). How can we claim to be disciples of Christ when we curse others? This inconsistent use of our tongue is contrary to nature for nature is consistent. A spring would not give good water one time and bitter water another time. The fig tree does not produce olives for every seed brings forth "after their kind" (Gen. 1:11). -- Via Guardian of Truth XXIX: 4, pp. 109-110, February 21, 1985 ____________________________________________________ -2- How to Grow Spiritually by Rodney Britton Without a doubt, growth is necessary in all areas of life in order to be successful. Whether on the job or in scientific research, whether in technology or education, growth is a prerequisite for prosperity. No place is this more evident than in the life of a Christian. Peter taught, "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever" (2 Pet. 3:18). With all the hindrances to living a godly life it would only make sense to look for ways of improving our "graceful growth" in the Lord. I challenge you to think on these areas with me as we try to grow as God wants us to and then apply them to your life that we "may grow thereby" (1 Pet. 2:2). CONSTANTLY EXAMINE YOURSELF. Paul urged the Corinthians to "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Cor. 13:5). We should always measure ourselves in relationship to Christ. Have there been improvements in my knowledge? Do I have the same zeal that I had when I first became a Christian? Do I set good examples to everyone I come in contact with? Am I trying to improve my circumstances or conditions that will enable me to grow? How would you have to answer these questions? GET YOURSELF ACTIVE IN YOUR LOCAL CONGREGATION. There is no better place to begin your quest for growth. Offer your services to the elders in what ever form it is needed. The greatest source of satisfaction and joy is to aid the flock that you are a part of. Have the desire that Isaiah had; "Here am I, Send me!" (Isa. 6:8). Be an encouragement rather than a discouragement. Be a builder instead of a destroyer. Don't criticize, but rather we should always support sound, scriptural efforts. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GODLY PEOPLE. Spend time daily with people who can assist you in your growing. Understand that people I associate with will go a long way as to how I mature in the Lord. Paul said, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor. 15:33). Always understand that where a man's heart is, his affections will be as well (Matt. 6:21). AVOID ANYTHING THAT WILL HINDER YOU. Stay away from things that take your mind away from godly things. Don't allow anything to come before the Lord! Our daily lives can offer many troubles, trials, and temptations, but we must not let them cause us to despair (2 Cor. 4:9ff). Do not allow laziness to affect your growth. Just as physical growth would be affected by lazy, effortless lifestyles, so is the life of a Christian (1 Tim. 4:8). STOP THE DRIFT! Sometimes our minds wander. Sometimes our lives are hectic and the "rat race" too much to handle. Sometimes we lose sight of the real issues at hand and before we know it we have drifted out to sea. We didn't feel it, but it happened nonetheless. We didn't necessarily want it to, but it did anyway. We used to sing an old song that said, "You are drifting too far from the shore, You are drifting too far from the peaceful shore. Come to Jesus today, let Him show you the way, you are drifting too far from the shore." We must constantly keep our attention on the "shoreline." We must know where Jesus Christ is (and where He is not) and where He so desperately wants me to be. "Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth, for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:2,3). FINALLY, PRAY EVERYDAY! How long has it been since you prayed alone? How long has it been since you talked to God about your life? About your family? About your fears? How long has it been since you asked God to help you? How long has it been since you talked to God? We are instructed to, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). Prayer will change lives! Are you growing in the Lord? -- via Gospel Power, August 19, 2001 ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________