Bridling Our Tongue

To some, speaking profanity and vulgarity is as normal as saying, "Good morning". As profanity and vulgarity increase, sensitivity toward it decreases, so that even many Christians, if not actually using profanity or vulgarity, are not particularly disturbed by it. In fact, many Christians will watch TV programs and movies where vulgarity and profanity is used.

With the flood of foul language used on television, we must be very alert to the speech habits our children pick up. We need to recognize that the filth that comes out of the mouth first fills the heart. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34-36, "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."

What is going into our heart? Several hours of watching television and/or movies each day? Bad thoughts, words or jokes heard at work or school, and immoral lyrics of modern music? Do we know what needs to go into our heart? That which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise worthy should fill our minds according to Philippians 4:8. Our speech should be that which can be used to the edifying of others according to Ephesians 4:29-30.

James 1:26 says, "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless." The best way to guard our tongues is to fill our hearts with an abundance of good things. No better information can fill our hearts than that which is found in the pages of the Bible.

Are You Prepared?

Salvation has been prepared for us by God Himself. Zacharias prophesied long ago that Christ would come to prepare a way so that we may have eternal salvation (Luke 1:76). Jesus prepared His kingdom for us (Matthew 25:34) because it is God's desire that all of us will live our lives here on earth in such a way that when we die we will be with Him eternally. But are we prepared RIGHT NOW to be with Christ eternally when our day of death comes? One may say "just give me time". Well, God is giving us time and we don't know when that time will stop for us, therefore we MUST be prepared now (2 Corinthians 6:2). We prepare for heaven by reading the gospel and obeying the truths contained therein. "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21). One must purge himself of worldliness and obey God's Word or there will be no hope of eternal life with Jesus! We must be watching (Matthew 25:1-11) because we do not know when he will return (Matthew 24:44). Are you prepared to meet God? Prepare now before it is everlastingly too late.

Doing the Will of the Lord

I’m sure you have probably heard someone say "it’s my life, I can do what I want to." While it is true that the life we have is ours,cannot do what we want to with it if we really want to be pleasing to God. The Bible says, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are" 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us. God created us and expects us to be obedient to Him in all things. The inspired apostle Paul wrote, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We need to understand that we are here only because God created us and that our obligation in life is to make sure that we please Him in all things. Christians have been baptized into Christ and have made a vow before God to live for Christ each day for the rest of our life. Baptism puts us into Christ (Galatians 3:27) and into His body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23). When we die, our soul will return to God who gave it to us in the first place (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Our eternal resting place will be in heaven or hell, depending on who we have really served while on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 6:24). As Bible Christians, we must ensure that we are living our lives for Christ, not for ourselves or others. Jesus will judge us in the last day, nobody else (John 12:48). Can it be said that we are REALLY doing the will of the Lord?

Spiritual Growth

Do you want spiritual growth? Let me suggest to you that God's book, the Bible is the only guide that will lead you to true spiritual growth. Reading and studying the Scriptures is vital to growing in the grace and knowledge of God.

Job said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12). The Psalmist said, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." (Psalm 119:97). Paul said, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby..." (1 Peter 2:2).

We need to study the Bible daily so that our mind will be filled with God's word. The Lord gave Joshua directions that would lead him to mature spiritual growth. "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8).

Psalm 1:1-2 says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night." Paul instructed the young man Timothy, "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all." (1 Timothy 4:15).

Let us desire God's word as new born babies desire milk. Let us read, study, and meditate on His word day and night. Thereby, God will approve of us, and our spiritual growth and understanding of His word will become evident to all.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

The apostle wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). When one hears the word of God, believes, repents from sin, confesses Jesus, and is immersed in water (baptized), then all their sins are forgiven. One is now a Christian! They now will be able to enjoy every spiritual blessing by being in Christ. Only Christians are blessed with this privilege. Christians have so much to be thankful for and so very much to look forward to. The apostle Paul serves as a great inspiration to all Christians. He said "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).

After his conversion to Christ, Paul lived his life for Christ, longing for the prize that would be awaiting him at the end of his life. He understood that he did things in his past that were contrary to the will of God, but after his conversion he knew that he was forgiven and now enjoyed every spiritual blessing in Christ. That helped him get through every day and it should also help us get through every day. After all, when all is said and done in our life, all that really matters is whether we are going to be able to be in heaven with our Lord for eternity. Christians who live their life fully dedicated to Christ know and understand that day will be a reality. We can have confidence in that by the very words of Paul. He said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul assures us that if we too will live our life for Christ to the very end, keeping the faith, having loved His appearing, that there will be a crown of righteousness waiting for us.

Eternity with Christ is the absolute greatest blessing that we will have by being in Christ. No matter what has happened in our past we can have great confidence that if we will just be obedient, faithful, loving, and loyal to Jesus, that we will one day be with those "few" who have submitted to His authority (Matthew 7:13-14; 28:18-20).

Why Do You Wait?

There is a well-known song that we sing entitled "Why Do You Wait?" The first line of that song says: "Why do you wait, dear sinner, O why do you tarry so long? Your Savior is waiting to give you a place in His sanctified throng." I have often wondered why it is that one will continue to wait to obey the will of Jesus. Every time that song is sung there may be those in attendance that need to obey the gospel call - yet continue to wait!

What Is It That Keeps One Waiting?

We should all have a heart like David that stated to the Lord: "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee" (Psalms 39:7). It would be so good if we would put our hope and trust in the Lord wouldn't it? But many have not put their hope in the Lord and continue to wait - but why? Is it that one is waiting for the saving power? We need to realize and understand that the saving power of Jesus comes through the blessed gospel. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Is it because one is waiting for the converting power to come upon them suddenly? This will not happen because we can learn that the law of the Lord is perfect - it's this law that converts the soul (Psalms 19:7). Therefore, we must learn about His converting power through the word itself.

People may be waiting to respond to the invitation of our Lord Jesus for many reasons. Some other reasons may be that they're waiting for some sanctifying power - but that is only found through the word also (John 17:17). We can also learn that the perfecting power of God comes to us only through study (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17). Could it be that one is waiting for God to give them faith? One may say "As soon as I can gain faith within then I'll start serving Christ." Yet one can in no way gain Bible faith except through the Bible. In Romans 10:17 it says "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
 

It is also deceptive for one to wait for a certain kind of feeling to suddenly come over them. Many have been led away into denominationalism because of "suggested feelings." One can only know the right thing to do by learning what God says is the right thing. Once one knows this then their heart will cause them to be "doers" of the word and not merely "hearers" (James 1:22).
 

Some may be waiting for the church to get better. If this is the case then one will never come to Jesus. Men will always make mistakes. The difference is that the children of God learn from their mistakes, get up and try again. The alien sinner has never even tried! And besides, I would hate to be left out of heaven because I was too concerned about what others were or weren't doing and not doing anything myself. Read Romans 14:10 where it says: "for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."

 

Let's Be Determined to Follow Christ Now

It is dangerous, to wait to follow Christ. Many will wait for that "convenient season" to follow Christ. If you think about it, we are very fortunate to be able to get another chance at salvation. In James 4:14 we can learn how precious life really is. James says: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Life is too short to wait! "Why Do You Wait Dear Sinner, O Why Do You Tarry So Long?"

Correcting Misconceptions of Humility

Once it is established that Jesus was the ultimate example of humility, several misconceptions are laid to rest.

Humility is not weakness

Even the enemies of Jesus testified to His power. It was demonstrated over Satan, over nature, and over every force that opposed Him. Yet in the exercise of His power He was humble, acknowledging that the works He did were the works of His Father (John 5:19). Humble individuals who recognize their own weakness and allow the power of God to work in them are the only ones who are truly strong. The Lord said to Paul, "My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9), causing Paul to respond, "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Humility does not preclude leadership

Jesus was "meek and lowly" (humble), but this did not prevent His exercising leadership. He is the great Shepherd of the flock, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Some individuals, citing humility as their reason, refuse to accept the responsibilities of leadership, especially as elders. The fact is that elders must be humble. They are to be sober-minded (1 Timothy 3:2), and this is defined in Romans 12:3 as not thinking more highly of oneself than one should.1 Timothy 3:6 says that an elder should not be a novice, "lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil." Rather than hindering leadership, humility defines the style of leadership that pleases God. Christ-like shepherds are not lords over those entrusted to them but examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3).

 

Humility does not forbid rebuking sin

Jesus was just as humble when He was driving out the money-changers from the temple in Matthew 21 and rebuking the Pharisees in chapter 23 as when He was blessing little children in chapter 19. In each case He was expressing in His words and actions the will of God, not His own. Humility will, however, affect our manner of dealing with sinners and those in error. "A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition" (2 Timothy 2:24-25). "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). Rebuking that is done from a spirit of self-righteousness and pride will never be effective in accomplishing God's purpose.

Humility is not inconsistent with personal initiative

The church needs the input of every spiritually-minded Christian in planning and, executing its work.A song we sing says, "Take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose." Yet some who have useful ideas fail to offer them, feeling that to do so would be inconsistent with humility.Of course, if one demands that his way be accepted and becomes angry if his suggestion is not taken, he does lack humility. Humility demands that "each esteem others better than himself" (Philippians 2:3), but it does not forbid our offering our wisdom on a subject for whatever it may be worth in the opinion of our brethren.

 

Humility does not require that we think of ourselves disdainfully,
speak of ourselves disparagingly or grovel in the presence of others.

This is what many people think of as humility. However, this is the opposite of humility. Such a person is thinking too much of himself, however negative his thinking may be.When one is constantly thinking: "How inferior I am, how worthless I am, how useless I am, how poorly I do compared to others" he is thinking of himself all the time. Pride is his problem; he is too proud to be comfortable among those whom he considers superior to himself. Humility is not the cause of such negative thinking; it is actually the solution - not thinking of self at all.A Christian can rejoice in the superiority of his brethren. Furthermore, he can hold up his head in the presence of all men, not because he himself is so worthy, but because he is a child of the God of heaven, redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. Jesus did not grovel before any man, yet He was not lacking in humility when He said to a Roman governor, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above" (John 19:11).

 

Conclusion

True humility replaces self-seeking with seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), self-will with doing the will of God (Matthew 7:21), self-reliance with reliance upon God (2 Corinthians 3:5), self-confidence with confidence in God (2 Timothy 1:12), and self-exaltation with exaltation by God (1 Corinthians 4:3-6). These were the qualities that made Jesus humble and the qualities He seeks in us. May we bring ourselves to say truly, even as we sing: Lord, thy love at last has conquered: None of self, and all of Thee.

 

Article written by: Sewell Hall