Who is wise and
understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done
in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your
hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend
from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking
exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy
and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Even so the tongue is a
little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
Verbal faith is not
enough; mental faith is insufficient. Faith must be there, but it must be more.
It must inspire action. Faith obeys the Word. Faith produces separation from
the world and submission to God.
Remember we are rooted in
Him, we are alive in Him, we are hidden in Him, and are complete in Him.
We cannot live life
without Him.
Surrounded by His love,
and with His peace ruling in our hearts, we are equipped to make our Lord first
in every area of life.
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