Small Part…Huge Impact

James 3:3-5 ⁽³⁾When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁽⁴⁾Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁽⁵⁾Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (NIV)

                There were two students in a math class being taught by a new teacher name by Mr. Edwards. Both students were having trouble in math. Mr. Edwards, being the concerned teacher that he was, had a meeting with the boys’ families in order to offer assistance to them. After speaking with both families individually, they agreed to allow the students to get help from a couple of tutors, which the school had hired, to help students struggling in various subjects.

            One of the boys did very well and at the end of the semester had raised his math grades from making D’s to B’s. The other boy’s grades continued to plummet and even though the tutor tried his best to help, the boy could not seem to bring his math grades up. The teacher had a talk with both students at the end of the semester in order to let them know their progress. The one boy was happy to know that he had raised his grades up and told Mr. Edwards that he was getting great support from both the tutor and his family. However, the other boy, who did not fair so well, told his teacher that his family thought that he was dumb and often told him as much. Mr. Edwards looked surprised to hear what the boy had said, but he understood why the boy was failing. It was due to him being told by his family that he couldn’t do it instead of being told that he could.

 

            The Apostle James lets us know that the tongue, even though small, has great power. It can either be used for good, or it can be a tool for evil. The words that come from a person’s mouth can help lift someone up to new heights or destroy them by bringing them down and making them feel unlovable. Proverbs 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (NIV) How many times have you been encouraged by someone who offered you a few words of care? This is why greeting’s cards do so well in stores. People love to hear encouraging words rather they are sick, dying, in despair, or lonely. A good word can make for a cheerful heart. Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (NIV)

 

            As men of God, it is important to be the mouth of encouragement in the home, church and beyond. God is looking for men who will take their rightful positions for His kingdom. The apostles were all chosen men of God to carry out his message. They used their voices for good and never evil. Why not follow their example? Allow God to use you in a mighty way by being the mouthpiece that He has called you to be.
 

The Book of James: 30 Days of Devotion for Men by K L Rich is available on Amazon.com.

 

All Have Sinned

James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. (NIV)

         

          Jesus had been sent to earth to save man from sin, but the religious teachers and rulers during that time did not accept him as the Son of God. They sought to find anything that they could use against him to accuse him of blaspheme against the laws of Moses and God. This time, in particular, that they decided to come before Jesus was no different.

            While Jesus was sitting in the temple courts, the Pharisees and religious teachers brought a woman before him. She had been caught in the act of adultery. According to the laws of Moses, anyone caught in adultery was to be stoned. Therefore, they wanted to know what Jesus’ response would be when they brought this up to him. However, Jesus did not fall into the trap that he knew they were placing for him. Instead, he wrote on the ground and then responded to them by telling them that whoever was without sin could cast the first stone. 

        This was a perfect response because he did not go against the laws of Moses nor did he place condemnation on the woman. He let them answer them be the judge of where they stood with God without having to play into their trickery. One by one they dropped the stones that they had in their hands. When all of them were gone, Jesus went to the woman and asked, “Where are your accusers? Does anyone still accuse you?” John 8: 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (NIV) Jesus showed the woman mercy even though she lived a life full of sin. He did not excuse the sin, but forgave her and told her to stop sinning.

        The religious teachers and Pharisees were right in obeying the laws of Moses, but they were wrong with their hypocrisy. They knew that they had unconfessed sin in their own lives, while they pointed the finger at others and condemned them. 1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (NIV) When we point out the sin in others, we must make sure that we are in good standing with God ourselves, or we will be guilty of doing the same thing, that the Pharisees did doing Jesus day, by being nothing more than mere hypocrites. Now does this mean that you cannot say what thus said the Lord in His word? No! However, in so doing, make sure that you are not guilty of the same, if not worse sin than the person you are accusing. Matthew 7:3-5 ⁽³⁾ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁽⁴⁾How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁽⁵⁾You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (NIV)

 Being all that God has called you to be means being honest first with God, yourself, and then others. God loves a person with humble heart who can say that they have fallen short. By recognizing and admitting where you still need spiritual growth is a great way to witness to others who may have fallen along the way. 

       

The Book of James:30 Days of Devotion for Men by K L Rich is available on Amazon.com. 

 

Leading…the Great Call

James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (NIV)

            Pastor Keith Macky was the shepherd of approximately 2,000 members in the country town of Huntingsburg. The church started out with twenty members, but grew tremendously over the span of 5 years. Pastor Macky loved been a minister and had dreamed of being one since he was a child. He had come from a long ancestry of ministers, missionaries and evangelist and therefore, felt that he would continue the call as well as pray that his sons would do the same. Everyone looked up to Pastor Macky and they held him and his family up with high regard.

            Unfortunately, there was a major flaw in Pastor Macky. He had a problem with pornography. Everyday Pastor Macky would go to his office and work on the week’s sermon and Bible study, but a day wouldn’t go by that he did not make a stop with the click of a mouse to an x-rated site. Due to the privacy that he had in his office, he felt that he was secure where no one would ever find out. His conscious bothered him and he vowed to himself and God that he would one-day stop, but that day never came.

            On one Wednesday, Pastor Macky went to church to hold his normal midweek Bible study for the members. He taught the scriptures as he often did and got ready to end the night in a word of prayer. All of a sudden, there was an interruption in the congregation. Pastor Macky opened his eyes as his head had been lowered and eyes closed for prayer. There were several police officers walking down the aisle and coming towards where he stood. The congregation was in a panic because they had no idea of what was taking place.

            One of the officers began to speak and said, “Keith Macky, you are hereby under arrest for the crime of child pornography. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford and attorney, one will be provided for you.” The congregation could not believe their ears as they watched in total shock as their pastor was handcuffed and carried away by the men in blue. 

            The Apostle James lets us know that when you accept the call of God on your life, you are held up to a higher standard. To know what is right and not do it is a sin. Hebrews 10:26-27 ⁽²⁶⁾If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ⁽²⁷⁾but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (NIV) God expects His children, especially those who are leaders, rather in the home, church, and/or job, to do what they know is right. It is inexcusable in God’s eyes to know His ways and laws and yet, fail to do them.

        It would be one thing if you did not know what was right, but to know and not do is displeasing in God’s eyes. 2 Peter 2;19-22 ⁽¹⁹⁾They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” ⁽²⁰⁾If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. ⁽²¹⁾It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. ⁽²²⁾Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (NIV) God has outlined the way that we are to carry ourselves in His word. If we have any questions as to the things of God, all we have to do is go to the scripture for clarity. 

        The Holy Spirit also serves as an internal manual to let us know if something is wrong. As in the above story, Pastor Macky knew that he was doing wrong and his conscious (the Holy Spirit) was letting him know to stop. However, if you grieve away the Spirit, there are dire consequences that will follow. There will not be any excuses that can be made on the Day of Judgment. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (NIV) God is calling for us to hear His voice and respond accordingly. John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (NIV) Why not make the decision today to follow God wholeheartedly. Choose to be the leader that He has called for you to be. In the end, you will receive a great reward. 

 

The Book of James:30 Days of Devotion for Men by K L Rich is available on Amazon.com.