Part 1
James 3:1-12 NIV Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (2) We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. (3) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. (4) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. (5) Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (6) The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (7) All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, (8) but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (9) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. (10) Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (11) Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? (12) My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
- Your tongue affects your entire life.
James 3:2 NIV We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
- Your tongue determines the direction of your life.
James 3:3-4 NIV When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. (4) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
- Your tongue can inject poison into the lives of other people.
James 3:7-8 NIV All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, (8) but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
- You have a choice in what your tongue says.
James 3:10 MSG Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.
- You can change the direction of your life by changing your words.
- Your words are shaped by what you deposit in your heart.
Matthew 12:34-37 AMP You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. (35) The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. (36) But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. (37) For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.
Start Your Engine!
Philemon 1:6 KJV That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
“…every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
Think of it — He saved you, healed you, redeemed you, and protected you. He has given you a sound mind; He has given you the mind of Christ; He has imparted gifts and talents to you; and He has planned a future for your life that is simply glorious. You are loaded with phenomenal potential that is just waiting to be activated!
“…may become effectual…”
(Greek: energeo – energized or activated)
Paul’s words could actually be rendered, “That … your faith may become energized and activated.”
“…acknowledging…”
(Greek: epignosis – a well-instructed, intensive, deep knowledge of the facts)
Because the word epignosis depicts a well-instructed, intensive, deep knowledge of the facts, Paul is letting you know that it is essential for you to possess:
- A knowledge of exactly who you are in Jesus Christ.
- A knowledge of what Jesus has purchased in your redemption.
- A knowledge of every good thing that God has placed in you by Jesus Christ.
To make these truths real in your life, you have to put the key in the ignition switch.
- The key is the Word of God.
- The ignition is your mouth.
- The key is turned in the ignition when you open your mouth and start to speak God’s Word.
- The good things in you are activated the moment you start speaking the Word.
That is how you turn the key in your ignition and energize these truths until they begin to manifest in you!
You turn the key in the ignition by getting your mouth in agreement with God’s Word. And as you start speaking what God says about you, all your potential will start becoming a manifested reality!