Thought for the Day

Verse 23 - It is profitable to learn to be careful in what we say, since wise words can keep us from trouble. There is another scripture in the New Testament that elaborates on this:

"...If any one does not offend in speech-never says the wrong things - he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature. If we set bits in the horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about. Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna). For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature). But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness! Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water" (James 3:2-12, AMP).

We all say things that we regret later. When we do, the only way to correct the situation that we created is to admit that what we said was wrong and apologize for it. This is difficult to do, but it will win us more respect than allowing pride to rule us and refusing to admit that we were wrong.

Verse 24 - Man's pride is delicate and he will become defensive and easily offended if provoked (unless he yields to the Holy Spirit). This is why proud people become angry easily and are overbearing. No one likes an arrogant, domineering person. We must ask God to forgive and change us if we tend to demean and control others. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. May we all learn, therefore, to humble ourselves before Him! "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:5-6).