Duly Impacted!

Jesus noted -- as a foundational focus -- the loving of God with all our heart, soul, and mind. ( Matthew 22:37) Our loving response to God is to involve our ENTIRE BEING. Therefore our spiritual focus is to impact OUR ACTIONS. (note Matthew 7:24; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3) Our spiritual focus is to also have an impact on OUR THINKING. (note Philippians 4:8) If there is no impact on such areas of our life, what does that say about our spiritual focus?

James admonished. . .
"(26) If anyone THINKS HE IS RELIGIOUS and DOES NOT BRIDLE HIS TONGUE but deceives his heart, THIS PERSON'S RELIGION IS WORTHLESS." ( James 1:26 ESV)

The Greek translated "worthless" here in the English Standard Version is "mataios" and literally means "void of result." [W.E. Vine's Expository Dict. Of N.T. Words] Strong's Lexicon defines it as "devoid of force, truth, success, result" as well as "useless, of no purpose."

Is our religious focus properly impacting OUR SPEECH? Do we claim to live a life under the control of God while OUR TONGUE remains unbridled and out of control? James indicated such needs to be given serious consideration because the implication is that when this is the case it is a sign of the religion having no power in our life and is therefore worthless or useless.

It can be so easy to get drawn into the language around us. Instead we need to consider OUR SPEECH in light of the standard from above! Does OUR SPEECH reveal the benefit of religion focused on the true and living God and the Lord Jesus Christ? Rather than it being representative of the spirit of this world, is it revealing the Spirit of God? If this is true, those around us will be convinced of the genuineness of what we claim to believe. Let us bear in mind that our ENTIRE BEING responding appropriately to God and His Will includes OUR TONGUE. May He be consistently glorified in all aspects of our life!

Have a great day REMEMBERING HOW MUCH OUR WORDS REVEAL!
Carl

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