“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, WHO IS IN YOU, whom you have received from God? You are NOT your own; you were BOUGHT at a price. Therefore, HONOR God with your bodies.” Likewise, we honor or dishonor God with every word we speak.  A believers’ body is the sacred dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. God tells us “IF you remain in Me, you will bear much fruit.” Begin each day in submission and great expectation. “This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I thrive because He lives in me. In the OT and NT the Holy Spirit remains working through the pen and mouths of the prophets. “My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear. In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord Almighty.” Haggai 2:5 Holy Spirit help us control our speech so we honor God.

It is a trial to control our tongue. To be silent when our flesh wants to hurl insults is the fruit of the Spirit at work. Whenever we face such a trial, we know that the testing of our faith produces perseverance in our submission to He who dwells within. He will finish His work so that we will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If we lack wisdom, we ask God, and the Holy Spirit delivers it generously to all who ask. When we ask God for anything, we BELIEVE and do NOT doubt that He answers in His perfect way and timing.  Believers WHO DOUBT are like waves crashing in a sea of worldy voices. They are blown and tossed about in the lies that scream in the wind.That doubting soul should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Many are double-minded and unstable in all they do. Wisely we test all the voices, and remain humble while taking pride in our high position. Blessed are we who PERSEVERE under TRIAL because, having STOOD the TEST, we will RECEIVE the CROWN of LIFE that the Lord has promised to those who love HIM. James one  read and applied.

We speak truth and act humbly as those who are going to be judged by God’s perfect law. Our Father’s final judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful to others. We issue lavish mercy instead of judging others. We have been forgiven. much, so we are quick to forgive. Our faith is accompanied by the good deed of being kind and merciful.  The word of God in us is alive and active, not dead. We believe that there is one God just like the demons believe—and they shudder. Our fear of God absolutely compels us to obey Him like Abraham. His faith and his actions worked together, and Abe’s faith was made complete by how he obeyed even when not fully understanding. The scripture says of God’s friend, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” As God’s chosen, we are considered righteous by what we do and not by our faith alone. A body without the Holy Spirit spirit is dead, so our faith without deeds is dead. Read James 2 and gladly apply.

Not many followers of Jesus should become teachers, because many know that teachers will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is NEVER at FAULT in what they SPEAK is perfect, and yet only Jesus walked without sin. We’re wise to put bits into our own mouth. A bit may feel uncomfortable, but our awareness of the Holy Spirit in us, keeps us in right submission so that we obey His gentle tug. As God’s vessels, we are at war in a raging sea of voices. Holy Spirit steers by His small whisper, He is our constant pilot.  Our tongue is a small part of our body, but it makes great boasts. A great forest fire gets set ablaze with a tiny spark. Our tongue acts as a fire in this evil and broken world. If we speak in anger, the devil smiles in victory. Without our Pilot’s redirection, our whole soul gets corrupted as we justify our voices compromises to God’s way. The whole course of our life in Christ sets itself on fire by hell itself. All kinds of animals have been tamed by mankind, but without remaining submitted to the Holy Spirit, no human being can tame the tongue. Our tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord Jesus and Father God, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. This should not be. Speak from the deep well of living, fresh water within. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. Strive to not harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition. Determine not to boast about your plans or deny the truth of selfish ambitions.  Our own wise plans do not come down from heaven but they are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Where there is envy and selfish ambition, disorder and every evil practice is found. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. As our Father’s peacemakers, we sow in peace to reap a harvest that pleases Him. Read James 3 and determine to pause before speaking.