"Beyond Belief…Truthful Speech!"  This morning we're in week three of looking at this 'Beyond Belief' from the book of James. Sometimes when you read James, you're like, "Man that's a stretch - that's really hard." 

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Today we get to one of the hardest: truthful speech. We're going to look at the first 12 verses of chapter 3 from the book of James. Those ancient words that still impart. So listen to what James writes to us today:

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Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 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.

 

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. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

 

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

 

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

 

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So may God give us understanding into that word this morning.

 

I want to begin with this wonderful poem and I have it up here on the screen for us. It's an old old poem. It says:

"If you are tempted to reveal a tale someone has told about another, make it pass before you speak: The three gates of gold these narrow gates.

 

: : First, is it true?,

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: : Is it needful? In your mind, give truthful answer. And the next is last and narrowest,

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: : Is it kind? 

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And if to reach your lips at last it passes through these gateways three, then you may tell the tale, nor fear...​​Worship Video HERE.

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