Our ladies at church are doing Beth Moore's James Bible study right now. I have to be honest - the first couple of weeks, I really wasn't "loving" it. I am so used to just being overwhelmed by what I am learning or figuring out that this time it almost seemed blah. And then came week 3!
The first day's homework was entitled "Quick to Listen" and if you know the rest of that Scripture it also says slow to speak and slow to anger. I did my homework and failed this day. My husband irritated me, and I was quick to let my temper flare. And I was NOT slow to speak. Let's just say - it wasn't pretty. I wasn't pretty.
That same day we had to look up Proverbs 17:27-28. Let me put it here so you don't have to look it up: "A man of knowledge uses his words with restraint and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Can we just acknowledge that per this verse I am not a woman of restraint or understanding? And that I am more foolish than some fools? And to top this all off, I know this. I know - sometimes immediately - that I should have shut my mouth about 2 minutes ago. It is a yucky feeling.
Today's homework dealt with James 1:26-27. Here James tells us that "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not keep a tight rein on this tongue, then he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." Not good news for me who has difficulty reining in that tongue. It is my least controlled area.
Lord, may you control my tongue, because I have proven over and over that I can't. Help me use my words for good and not for evil. Help me to build up and not tear down. Help me bring you glory rather than shame.
1 comment:
We are studying the book of James in my Bible class. It is very convicting.
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