(James 3:1-18) 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.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
(James 5:19-20) My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Reminder:
"praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He
may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like,
or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we are careful whom we allow to be teachers, as there should be a higher standard (3:1)
- that we are not arrogant with selfish ambitions or with bitter jealousy (3:14)
- that we are wise and understanding (3:13)
- that we do not teach anything but the truth, which is wisdom from above (3:14-15)
- that we make peace with others to demonstrate God's righteousness (3:18)
- that we teach what is peaceable, while being peaceable (3:17)
- that we teach others to not be hypocritical, while trying to not to be hypocritical (3:17)
- that we teach others to produce fruit of the Spirit, while producing fruit of the Spirit (3:17)
- that we teach steadfastness, while being steadfast (3:17)
- that we teach what is reasonable, while being reasonable (3:17)
- that we teach purity, while striving to be pure (3:17)
- that we teach gentleness, while being gentle (3:17)
- that we teach mercy, while being full of mercy (3:17)
- that we do good deeds with good behavior, wisdom and gentleness (3:13)
- that we share the good news with others, knowing that this is to save them from eternal death (5:19-20)
Today's prayer:
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