The world HATES God.
The world HATES the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
–John 15:18
The world HATES God’s Word.
BUT (surprising though it may seem), there is ONE place where the world AGREES with God’s Word.
That place has to do with how much trouble one can get into IF one does not watch his mouth (God’s Word usually calls it ‘the tongue.’)
Your mother ALSO agrees with what is written in God’s Word.
“Listen to me! That mouth of yours is gonna land you in a world of hurt someday, boy! You just wait and see!”
So, what does the Bible say about the tongue (the mouth)?
The ENTIRE THIRD CHAPTER of JAMES is pretty much devoted to the topic of the tongue.
“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. “
–James 3:6
The tongue is a fire that ‘defileth the whole body….’
That is pretty strong stuff, BUT James was NOT done.
“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
So, what do others have to say about James 3:6?
and setteth on fire the course of nature; An unrestrained volubility and wantonness of speech is the occasion of numberless evils and vexations in life. It begets resentment in him who is the subject of it; sows the seed of strife and dissension amongst others; and inflames little disgusts and offenses, which if let alone would wear away of themselves: it is often of as bad effect upon the good name of others, as deep envy or malice: and, to say the least of it in this respect, it destroys and perverts a certain equity, of the utmost importance to society to be observed, namely, that praise and dispraise, a good or bad character, should always be bestowed according to desert. The tongue used in such a licentious manner is like a sword in the hand of a madman; it is employed at random; it can scarce possibly do any good, and for the most part does a world of mischief; and implies not only great folly and a trifling spirit, but great viciousness of mind, great indifference to truth and falsity, and to the reputation, welfare, and good of others. So much reason is there for what St. James here says of the tongue, “It is a fire, a world of iniquity, it defileth the whole body, setteth on fire the course of nature, and is itself set on fire of hell.” This is the faculty or disposition, which we are required to keep a guard upon: these are the vices and follies it runs into, when not kept under due restraint.
–Bishop Butler, British Family Bible notes
Jesus agreed.
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”
–Matthew 15:18-20
The apostle Paul ALSO wrote on the subject.
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
–Ephesians 4:29
The apostle Peter also had something to offer on the topic of keeping one’s mouth under control.
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile”
–1PETER 3:10
And James was NOT finished with the topic.
” If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
–James 1:26
Again, the WORLD seems to agree with God’s Word on the subject–and there is precious little of that taking place ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.
“I’ll thank you to keep a civil tongue in your mouth!”
Jesus warned of engaging in IDLE TALK, so there’s more than one way for the mouth to get people in trouble!
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
–Matthew 12:36-37
God’s Word is QUITE CLEAR on the matter: one’s mouth (tongue) can lead a man astray and off the narrow path to eternal salvation.
HAS the reader ever assigned such a value to the words coming out of his mouth?
It is not YET too late–although time is surely running out: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
—1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: February 20, 2023.]
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Photo by Merch HÜSEY on Unsplash.com
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-23. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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