James 3:7-9

James 3:7-9 King James Version (KJV)
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.


James 3:7-9 New Life Version (NLV)


7 Men can make all kinds of animals and birds and fish and snakes do what they want them to do. 8 But no man can make his tongue say what he wants it to say. It is sinful and does not rest. It is full of poison that kills. 9 With our tongue we give thanks to our Father in heaven. And with our tongue we speak bad words against men who are made like God.



New Life Version (NLV) Copyright © 1969 by Christian Literature International




These are my thoughts, please share yours.


7 Most animals can be trained by man; God has given man this authority.


8-9 The tongue can be wilder then any animal, it hard to control what we say, it comes thru submission to the Lord. The tongue can harm and destroy others it can spread lies and hate but thru Jesus the tongue can be used for holy reasons.
 
8-9 The tongue can be wilder then any animal, it hard to control what we say, it comes thru submission to the Lord. The tongue can harm and destroy others it can spread lies and hate but thru Jesus the tongue can be used for holy reasons.

Agreed and what most fail to grasp is God has told us over and over to keep His Word in our mouth and keep from perverted talk.

Perverted talk beside the obvious is where people miss it. Anything Opposed to His Written Word is perverted speech.

So you can not stand on His Word and Speak opposite of it and see the victory.
Doubt and Unbelief and Questioning His Word is likened to Perverted Speech.
Blessings
FCJ
 
James 3:7-9 King James Version (KJV)
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.


James 3:7-9 New Life Version (NLV)


7 Men can make all kinds of animals and birds and fish and snakes do what they want them to do. 8 But no man can make his tongue say what he wants it to say. It is sinful and does not rest. It is full of poison that kills. 9 With our tongue we give thanks to our Father in heaven. And with our tongue we speak bad words against men who are made like God.



New Life Version (NLV) Copyright © 1969 by Christian Literature International




These are my thoughts, please share yours.


7 Most animals can be trained by man; God has given man this authority.


8-9 The tongue can be wilder then any animal, it hard to control what we say, it comes thru submission to the Lord. The tongue can harm and destroy others it can spread lies and hate but thru Jesus the tongue can be used for holy reasons.

Hello Clark;

I love the book of James and would like to share my thoughts. To me, James was very direct in outlining many characteristics of the Christian life, including mine. In chapter 3 he was making the point that there are those who want to teach the Word of God but will be held highly accountable. In verses 7-9 we can train most animals and God has given us dominion but we cannot tame the tongue. As a younger Christian I served in the music ministry and street evangelism, so how would both these passages in James 3:7-9 effect me?

Years ago I was an example of letting down the guard of my tongue in the church and damaged relationships with my pastors, leaders and church family. I was a talker and the reputation I had was always having an explanation, defending my actions and a stinging verbal temper, especially in the church. Yet I felt like I was the victim because I blamed the other Christians for being mean to me. But by God's grace He brought me to a point where I had to grow up, confess the fire on my tongue and seek repentance for my behavior to my wife, family, fellow brothers and sisters in the church and community.

One day a brother, mentor and pastor friend of mine had a long talk with me and pointed out in Titus 3:9-10 that most of the church families loved me, but my behavior had gone on long enough. I was on my way of being avoided for my controversial and confrontational ways and most would having nothing to do with my divisive attitude. I could also sense the pastors needed to protect the flock from me.

I came to a point of admitting my verbal sins, taking responsibility for my behavior and asked my friend to pray with me. I broke down, hard, and asked God for forgiveness and my friend as well. When they both forgave me I felt relieved but also felt this weight taken off my chest.

God then began maturing me spiritually, slowly but surely, and to this day He is still maturing me (all of us whom He LOVES.) As time passed I accepted from James' teaching that I can never tame my tongue, but the Lord can! I'm still a talker and the Lord knows this, therefore, He has led me in my later years to accept other's point of view, opinions and for me, and not to be so quick to respond. This goes for teaching in my called ministry. The Holy Spirit will prompt me what to say, or at times just listen. God is taming my tongue and Jesus is right! I find that when I listen I can go beyond and see, hear and LEARN from my brothers and sisters sharing with me, especially about Christ.

I love the book of James and give all the glory to our Father for His Word, who is the Master Teacher.

Thank you, brother Clark.
 
Agreed and what most fail to grasp is God has told us over and over to keep His Word in our mouth and keep from perverted talk.

Perverted talk beside the obvious is where people miss it. Anything Opposed to His Written Word is perverted speech.

So you can not stand on His Word and Speak opposite of it and see the victory.
Doubt and Unbelief and Questioning His Word is likened to Perverted Speech.
Blessings
FCJ

so what exactly is perverted talk?
 
Agreed and what most fail to grasp is God has told us over and over to keep His Word in our mouth and keep from perverted talk.

Perverted talk beside the obvious is where people miss it. Anything Opposed to His Written Word is perverted speech.

So you can not stand on His Word and Speak opposite of it and see the victory.
Doubt and Unbelief and Questioning His Word is likened to Perverted Speech.
Blessings
FCJ

Well said, FC Jim, Amen!
 
so what exactly is perverted talk?

Example cold and flue symptoms
By His stripes I was healed, (oh I get deathly sick every year at this time and it liked to kill me last time.)

Example Rent is due.
My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches by Christ Jesus
(I don't know what we are going to do, rent is due in 2 days) (if We don't get the money we are going to be on the streets)

In Both Cases there is (No Faith)
In Both Cases there is no Biblical Hope or Assurance found, just carnal natural hope which is the Opposite Of Faith and full of doubt and unbelief.

God has not ever failed anyone. It is believers who fail Faith.

Scripture says in Hebrews 11:16
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

People twist this around to make it fix their lack of Faith. They make up excuses saying faith is just for believing God is real.

Look at all of it
But without faith it is impossible to please him:
So right here we see anything less then Faith is Not Pleasing the Father.

Ex. You love your kids. You provide and do good things.
Noe when Kids are doing things that does not please you, you still love them but you don't go out of your way to Reward Them when you are not pleased but you still love them.

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

We must Believe God is who He says He is and He rewards us when we truly seek Him, spend time with Him and Trust Him.

Scripture Says Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Scripture Also tells us Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So we see scripture tells us to Get the God Pleasing Faith we need to get the desired result we must Diligently Seek Him or Diligently Get His Word in US and we are rewarded with God Pleasing Faith and more.

God Loves Us, but wouldn't you want God Pleased with you too? :)

NOTE..... Some times and most times you are going to have to stand on His Promises without wavering or speaking perverted words.

It's called fighting the good fight of faith and No One is exempt from this !

Another Words if it takes 5 days or 5 years to see the answer manifested you better keep your words lined up with His word.
Ex. Rent due in 3 days
Day 1 Full of Faith
Day 2 Full of Faith
2 hours to go....Full of Faith

We have an enemy, the devil who is working 24/7/365 to keep you from getting your prayers answered.
he wants Your Words because even if we don't believe it matters, he the devil knows it does and our words either close the door on him or open the door and give him a right at you that he never should have had.
(That is if our words are God's Words)

This perverted word or words opposed to God's Word truly effects your future more then most will admit.

Our Speech also effects how we think or believe more then most will admit.
I hope this brings some light to your question .

Blessings
FCJ
 
Example cold and flue symptoms
By His stripes I was healed, (oh I get deathly sick every year at this time and it liked to kill me last time.)

Example Rent is due.
My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches by Christ Jesus
(I don't know what we are going to do, rent is due in 2 days) (if We don't get the money we are going to be on the streets)

In Both Cases there is (No Faith)
In Both Cases there is no Biblical Hope or Assurance found, just carnal natural hope which is the Opposite Of Faith and full of doubt and unbelief.

God has not ever failed anyone. It is believers who fail Faith.

Scripture says in Hebrews 11:16
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

People twist this around to make it fix their lack of Faith. They make up excuses saying faith is just for believing God is real.

Look at all of it
But without faith it is impossible to please him:
So right here we see anything less then Faith is Not Pleasing the Father.

Ex. You love your kids. You provide and do good things.
Noe when Kids are doing things that does not please you, you still love them but you don't go out of your way to Reward Them when you are not pleased but you still love them.

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

We must Believe God is who He says He is and He rewards us when we truly seek Him, spend time with Him and Trust Him.

Scripture Says Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Scripture Also tells us Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So we see scripture tells us to Get the God Pleasing Faith we need to get the desired result we must Diligently Seek Him or Diligently Get His Word in US and we are rewarded with God Pleasing Faith and more.

God Loves Us, but wouldn't you want God Pleased with you too? :)

NOTE..... Some times and most times you are going to have to stand on His Promises without wavering or speaking perverted words.

It's called fighting the good fight of faith and No One is exempt from this !

Another Words if it takes 5 days or 5 years to see the answer manifested you better keep your words lined up with His word.
Ex. Rent due in 3 days
Day 1 Full of Faith
Day 2 Full of Faith
2 hours to go....Full of Faith

We have an enemy, the devil who is working 24/7/365 to keep you from getting your prayers answered.
he wants Your Words because even if we don't believe it matters, he the devil knows it does and our words either close the door on him or open the door and give him a right at you that he never should have had.

This perverted word or words opposed to God's Word truly effects your future more then most will admit.

Our Speech also effects how we think or believe more then most will admit.
I hope this brings some light to your question .

Blessings
FCJ

Yes, sir. Got it. Thank you.
 
So we should speak Gods words back to Him?
Amen. He honors His word and waits for it to come back to Him.
Jeremiah 1:12
Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.”

Praying His Word is key.
When we pray according to His Will
His will is His Word.

When satan came trying to deceive Jesus we see Jesus started with It Is Written and spoke God's word.

See This Please....notice as this event moves on we see satan begin to temp Jesus with it is written and quoted scripture.

he still uses scripture today and it is vital that All Thoughts are taken captive and tested before Speaking. Just because there is scripture does not make it so.

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Scripture unlike people says stand against the wiles of the devil and not power.
Wiles, Strategies, Schemes, Trickery
he is a master at this .
Blessings
FCJ
 
James 3:7-9 King James Version (KJV)
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

These are my thoughts, please share yours.
7 Most animals can be trained by man; God has given man this authority.
8-9 The tongue can be wilder then any animal, it hard to control what we say, it comes thru submission to the Lord. The tongue can harm and destroy others it can spread lies and hate but thru Jesus the tongue can be used for holy reasons.

Greetings, Clark!

I love the book of James too. Let me add something here that I didn't see until fairly recently in my study of this book. The KJV version is more accurate here, and the the Greek reads "But no man can tame the tongue." But what this is referring to in this particular verse is not that we cannot tame our own tongues but that church leaders, no matter how hard they try, cannot keep congregation members from fighting and squabbling. If it were about us taming our own tongues, then the statement that no man can do it would make the entire teaching pointless. Why even teach on the subject if no man can do it? Some will say that James was insinuating "No man can... without the Holy Spirit," but nothing in this passage suggests he is saying that. It is an inference.

So it is a commentary on the sad state of believers, who often give their mouths to the service of demons (James 3:14-15), and Hell (James 3:6). And I have experienced first hand that it cannot be tamed. I have been a member of churches where gossip and slander were severe problems, and was invited to preach on this very subject. I does little to no good. Those engaging in these things will simply ignore you (as if the issue isn't a big deal), and then go right back to letting Satan use their tongues afterwards.

Hope that helps clarify the passage for you a little more.
Hidden
 
If it were about us taming our own tongues, then the statement that no man can do it would make the entire teaching pointless. Why even teach on the subject if no man can do it? Some will say that James was insinuating "No man can... without the Holy Spirit," but nothing in this passage suggests he is saying that. It is an inference.

Greetings Hidden In Him
God's word and instructions go beyond a single passage. When you bring together all of God's Most Holy Written Word it begins to fit together in a tight knitted pattern.

The Book of James is directed at any and all N.T Believers and the tongue is no exception. This is directed to every born again believer and is to be addressed in each of our lives. Nothing suggest this is not for man to take hold of and do and yes it takes He who is in us that is far greater then he who is in the world to do so.

Here is but one example (command) on how we are to do this. Plus it also takes Developing our Love Walk which includes Forgiveness to get us to the place we can control our tounge.
It's a choice we must make!!

Romans 12:2 ....
And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God

(( Get His word in you each and every day and speak His word each and every day ))

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4... For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pulling down strong holds
5... Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

(( Begin to practice the words you speak and thoughts you think for our thoughts and words to control how we act or react and believe. Our own words do more do influence our thinking then most of everything else. ))

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh
Which Very Much Includes The Tongue

(( The more you do the first two the more you will begin to walk in the Spirit and you will be amazed to say the least. ))

All done through the Grace of God
who maketh all grace abound to me. (2Corinthians 9:8)

It's totally our choice in what we think and what we say.
Better yet.....totally our choice in what we Allow ourselves to think or speak.

Blessings
FCJ
 
and was invited to preach on this very subject. I does little to no good. Those engaging in these things will simply ignore you (as if the issue isn't a big deal), and then go right back to letting Satan use their tongues afterwards.

Greetings sir,

Even though I believe that this has been your experience... when one preaches in faith, knowing that the truth of the Word never returns unto God void... Then one will not make such non-faithfilled statements. It's not our right to say that people will never change... for we don't know how God will use it in their lives. It's up to us to preach in faith, as seed showers and then leave the rest up to our powerful heavenly Father, Whom can make His Word very real in each person's life.


Blessings
 
Greetings Hidden In Him
God's word and instructions go beyond a single passage. When you bring together all of God's Most Holy Written Word it begins to fit together in a tight knitted pattern.

The Book of James is directed at any and all N.T Believers and the tongue is no exception. This is directed to every born again believer and is to be addressed in each of our lives. Nothing suggest this is not for man to take hold of and do and yes it takes He who is in us that is far greater then he who is in the world to do so.

Here is but one example (command) on how we are to do this. Plus it also takes Developing our Love Walk which includes Forgiveness to get us to the place we can control our tounge.
It's a choice we must make!!

Romans 12:2 ....
And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God

(( Get His word in you each and every day and speak His word each and every day ))

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4... For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pulling down strong holds
5... Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

(( Begin to practice the words you speak and thoughts you think for our thoughts and words to control how we act or react and believe. Our own words do more do influence our thinking then most of everything else. ))

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh
Which Very Much Includes The Tongue

(( The more you do the first two the more you will begin to walk in the Spirit and you will be amazed to say the least. ))

All done through the Grace of God
who maketh all grace abound to me. (2Corinthians 9:8)

It's totally our choice in what we think and what we say.
Better yet.....totally our choice in what we Allow ourselves to think or speak.

Blessings
FCJ

Amen, Brother, and thank you for your post. Yes, I definitely agree that it is a command to the believer personally that runs not only throughout scripture but throughout James. James 1:19-20, James 1:26, James 3:1-5, James 4:11 etc. So yeah, the command that we each bridle our tongues is certainly there. It's just that in that particular verse the wording suggests he was saying no one can bring the tongues of others under subjugation in the way they can the beasts of the earth.

God bless, and thanks for your reply.
 
Even though I believe that this has been your experience... when one preaches in faith, knowing that the truth of the Word never returns unto God void... Then one will not make such non-faithfilled statements. It's not our right to say that people will never change... for we don't know how God will use it in their lives. It's up to us to preach in faith, as seed showers and then leave the rest up to our powerful heavenly Father, Whom can make His Word very real in each person's life.

Yes. Well I certainly wouldn't do it all if I didn't walk in faith and hope. But my statements are based on experience, just as I believe James' were. Most of the ones who need to hear it most will mysteriously not be there that night (I've preached it more than once, and also heard the pastor hammer away at it, to no avail). Meanwhile, those that are there often have this way of phasing out on you, as if it certainly isn't meant for them.

But I'll take that as a mild chastisement, and consider it as the need to walk in more confidence and not give up on or lose hope for anyone. So thanks! *thumbs up*
 
Yes. Well I certainly wouldn't do it all if I didn't walk in faith and hope. But my statements are based on experience, just as I believe James' were. Most of the ones who need to hear it most will mysteriously not be there that night (I've preached it more than once, and also heard the pastor hammer away at it, to no avail). Meanwhile, those that are there often have this way of phasing out on you, as if it certainly isn't meant for them.

But I'll take that as a mild chastisement, and consider it as the need to walk in more confidence and not give up on or lose hope for anyone. So thanks! *thumbs up*
Hi, I am brand new to the forum and this is the first thing I have followed.

In relation to preaching or speaking about how our tongues affect others I find it really important, as Jesus did to use stories. In giving the congregation a story that could be any one of them and getting them interested and empathising with the characters, understanding the hurt that was caused and acknowledging things could have been said differently or approached differently. Then following this through with God's word and instruction so it makes sense because they empathised with the story. It makes the message far more memorable and more likely to sink in and be thought about.

Sometimes, for some people messages seem remote and they cannot see the wood for the trees, especially if they don't want to.

Only talking from experience.
Thanks Neddy
 
Hi, I am brand new to the forum and this is the first thing I have followed.

In relation to preaching or speaking about how our tongues affect others I find it really important, as Jesus did to use stories. In giving the congregation a story that could be any one of them and getting them interested and empathising with the characters, understanding the hurt that was caused and acknowledging things could have been said differently or approached differently. Then following this through with God's word and instruction so it makes sense because they empathised with the story. It makes the message far more memorable and more likely to sink in and be thought about.

That's an interesting approach. I don't find the particular class of believer that often needs correction in this area to be especially perceptive like that, but then again, if the Spirit were to lead in this way that would indeed be a subtle little strategy.

Welcome to this Forum. I'm new here too!
 
Hidden In Him said:
and was invited to preach on this very subject. I does little to no good. Those engaging in these things will simply ignore you (as if the issue isn't a big deal), and then go right back to letting Satan use their tongues afterwards.

Greetings sir,

Even though I believe that this has been your experience... when one preaches in faith, knowing that the truth of the Word never returns unto God void... Then one will not make such non-faithfilled statements. It's not our right to say that people will never change... for we don't know how God will use it in their lives. It's up to us to preach in faith, as seed showers and then leave the rest up to our powerful heavenly Father, Whom can make His Word very real in each person's life.

Blessings

Hello Hidden In Him and Cturtle;

I'm enjoying your posts and would like to continue brother Clark's thread. Getting back to James 3:8, 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Hidden In Him, if by your experience this passage is an inference then I agree with you. I too have my experience but when we zero in on the study of this passage, it is truth. The Lord is making it very clear that no human can control the tongue. So why bother trying? It should bother us not to try. We may not have the perfect language but we are empowered by the Holy Spirit as He controls what we say.

If we as Christians don't listen to the message, succumb to satan and go right back to the unguarded tame of our tongue, then we have lost our witness for Christ. It doesn't matter whether its the one preaching to the choir or the ones sitting in the pews, there is no separation. We're all in this body together.

When it comes to experience I have found that I desire to speak for Christ and desire to ask, seek and knock to the Lord every day to guard my tongue. He will tell me what to say at that time and moment. I'm still not perfect and catch my poor choice of words that may hurt another brother or sister, but have improved, and come a long way from the days when I wasn't conscious of using Jesus or God's Holy Name in vain.

I have also preached James 3 and this did every bit of good. I preach with conviction because the message is also speaking to me, and have all the faith in God that one more person will have ears to hear the taming of the tongue. If the other 99 have ears to hear, then all the glory to our God. I'm honored to be His messenger for that day and give the responsibility to Him to prick the hearts of my church family and myself.

I don't want to take away my enjoyment of reading your posts, Hidden In Him and Cturtle. I enjoy your views, and the ones I may not understand, then help me learn more about you and your ministry, along with everyone else here at CFS.

May God's peace be with you.





 
I preach with conviction because the message is also speaking to me, and have all the faith in God that one more person will have ears to hear the taming of the tongue. If the other 99 have ears to hear, then all the glory to our God. I'm honored to be His messenger for that day and give the responsibility to Him to prick the hearts of my church family and myself.

AMEN to that, brother! That is indeed a good word. We can never grow discouraged, so this actually does really preach to me too.

One thing came to mind in reading your post that you might also find interesting. I met a very powerful sister in the Lord whom I began conversing with on the internet just a few months back. I'm hoping to invite her to this site eventually. Anyway, we were discussing spiritual things together from the start, and eventually the conversations became so led of the Spirit of Almighty God that I found myself coming under the conviction of the Holy Spirit about every single word I was saying/typing. I mean it was unreal, and unlike any amount of being Spirit-led I have ever experienced in my life. I have been in services (as a member of a worship team) were the Spirit of God fell so strongly that an entire congregation of 75+ people utterly fell silent and stayed silent in the Holy Ghost for 10-15 minutes on end, with many people crying under the Presence of God. But THIS! The conviction that still comes over my life when I converse with her is just astounding, and she testifies that the same convictions come over her. Many times she'll tell me she was going to say things but HE won't let her yet.

just thought you might find that interesting in this context. When we are truly governed by the Spirit of God, more and more it becomes a case of us speaking "only that which is good for the use of edifying."

God bless you, brother. And keep up your encouraging words and your positive outlook. It both ministers and witnesses to me.
 
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The Lord is making it very clear that no human can control the tongue. So why bother trying? It should bother us not to try. We may not have the perfect language but we are empowered by the Holy Spirit as He controls what we say.

Greetings Bob,

Good post you wrote. I agree that we (if we are listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying) will be ministered to by what we preach.

Also true that no man can tame the tongue, except the man or woman who is totally submitted to the Spirit, and even then we may goof once in awhile.

The Holy Spirit does not control our tongues or our speech, that is something that we need to submit to Him, and even then we still have the choice to listen and obey or not. The only one who is controlling people is the enemy.

Blessings
 
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