BRIDLE YOUR TONGUE
James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren). AMPC
God is preparing us, He is warning us on every subject to get things right with Him before He returns. His heart is toward His children and Heknows many who think they are right with Him are not. Many who think they have heard the Word, know the Word, heard that teaching before, or think someone else should hear that Word excreta, are actually dull of hearing the Word themselves. Until we do the Word we haven’t heard the Word (James 1:22).
Thinking we’re right with God but not bridling our tongue God says is deluding ourselves and our religious service is worthless. This reminds me of what Jesus said, many on that day who thought they were right with Him exclaimed all they did in His name, but Jesus said they practiced lawlessness and He rejected them (Matthew 7:21-23). So that means even if a Pastor, does not bridle his tongue he is in error (practicing lawlessness) and could be rejected. That reminds me of what James 3:1 tells us.
James 3:1 Not many [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation]. AMPC
Those who don’t know God will have a lesser judgment than those who call themselves Christians or those who have become teachers and will be held as James says at a higher standard of accountability.
It is obvious God’s warnings right now are centered on the church, those who claim to be His, yet they are walking in the dark.
There are many ways in which we miss bridling our tongues and if we are in relationship with God and are willing to be corrected He will let us know where we are missing it and empower us to change. But, many times we can’t hear God for various reasons which is again the reason we need to always be asking Him for correction. If we are not listening and asking then God will have to bring that correction through another channel, and thank God, He is faithful to correct us before He comes.
Not only is the obvious; swearing, using His name in vain, gossiping, rejecting others, being in a bias conversation, not bridling our tongue, but our gestures need bridling as well. Our gestures actually will reveal our heart and play out in our lives and/or in the church.
A gesture such as James 2 suggests in the church; paying closer attention to the person with money, or judging someone by their clothes are only examples of our error. James does not go into detail, but we know and we can know as an individual and as church the wrong things we do if we take heed to the Word.
Many who come to church for example or into a click so to say, are rejected maybe not because of what they have on but because they cramp your/or the church's style. God uses the poor, the rejected, the meek, especially those who we wouldn't expect God to use, and often God’s plan is rejected because it can’t be seen by the natural mind. The Spirit is quenched because of the pride that stands in God's way.
In Revelation chapter 2 and 3 Jesus warns the churches of their error, thus the churches, even though we are individuals, will be held accountable to His correction.
Let our prayer be of correction. Lord thank you for your warnings and please continue to correct us! Help us to rid ourselves of pride and remember YOU are the head of the church and we are to follow you and not another. Teach us how to be open to You and Your plans, and know how to receive Your correction so on that not only on that day we will not be rejected, but that we can be Your faithful servants here and now. So that our lives will reflect You and not ourselves.