WATCH Your Words, Actions, Thoughts, Company and Heart

By Boyd Hurst

The Power of Words

Words hold immense power.  As James 3:8 warns, the tongue is difficult to control.  It can build up or tear down, bring life or destruction.  Similarly, Colossians 4:6 encourages us to let our speech be full of grace and seasoned with wisdom.  The words we choose reflect our hearts and can either edify others or lead them astray.

The Weight of Actions

2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us that we will all stand before Christ’s judgment seat to give an account of our actions.  Everything we do has consequences—whether good or bad.  Our actions should reflect our faith and values, as they are a testimony to those around us.

The Influence of Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 calls us to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.  Our thoughts shape our attitudes and behaviors, influencing how we respond to challenges and opportunities.  If we dwell on negativity, fear, or sin, our actions will reflect that.  But if we meditate on what is good, our hearts and lives will be aligned with God’s will.

The Company We Keep

The people we surround ourselves with have a significant impact on our character and choices.  1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, "Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good habits."  Also in the words of wise Solomon, "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil." Prov. 4:14.

The Heart as the Source

Proverbs 4:23 further emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."  Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:18-19 that our words, actions, and thoughts come from the heart.  If our hearts are pure, what flows out will also be pure.  But if our hearts are filled with sin, our lives will reflect that.  Keeping our hearts aligned with God’s truth is essential for living a righteous life.

A Call to Watchfulness

2 Timothy 4:5 urges us to "be watchful in all things."  This means being vigilant about our Words, Actions, Thoughts, Company and Heart.  As we strive to live righteously, we must also remember that others are watching us.  Our lives serve as an example, influencing those around us for good or bad.  May we be a light to others, reflecting God’s love and truth in everything we do.

Ready To Listen

By David Norfleet

For anyone that has been in a relationship for very long, you know it is easier to stick your foot in your mouth than to take it out.  We often or frequently need help with how to communicate with others effectively.  James does so by providing inspired instruction that will help in those situations. He wrote in James 1:19, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” If we would heed this instruction it would help in all our inter-personal relationships, but especially our relationship with God.  And that seems to be James’ primary application as he points to the word of God in James 1:21, “…in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”

So, what does it means to be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” with respect to God’s word?

To be quick to hear points to an eagerness to learn and a willingness to accept the things God has to say to us.  We want instruction. We want counsel. We want wisdom from heaven. We need help. This idea is more of a disposition than an action, and it begins with humility – a recognition that we don’t have all the answers, but God does. Peter wrote in I Peter 2:2, “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”  Jesus knew of the importance of this quality in His followers so He wrote in Mark 4:24, “Take heed what you hear.”

How does being slow to speak relate to a reception of God’s word? It is generally true when you're talking or even thinking about what to say you are not listening. There is proven value in speaking less and listening more (Proverbs 10:19; 17:28), but it is critical when attending to God.  In this text being slow to speak may actually mean “slowness to start speaking,” and have specific reference to ill-considered reactions to what God has said. How will we ever receive God’s instruction if we do all the talking or if we thoughtlessly react to justify ourselves, negate Scripture’s demands, or explain the Bible away?  Our attitude needs to reflect the words of Samuel, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” (I Samuel 3:9-10)

What do you do when God’s word steps on your toes?  Maybe you’re reading it, or hearing it preached. It says something that you don’t like, because it confronts the way you think or live. Do you get angry and defensive, thinking, “What right does that preacher have to say that? How dare he tell me how to live!” Do you have these “flash-reactions” when your conscience is pricked?  That is why it is so important to be slow to anger, as an angry spirit is not a teachable spirit.  As James would write, “…the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)

Popular author Francis Chan stated, “Whenever I read the Bible and come across something that I disagree with, I have to assume I am wrong.”  He understands that the word of God and our reception of it is vital as it reveals, reproves, corrects, trains, revives us, directs us, keeps us from sin, and reveals God to us (Ephesians 3:1-4; II Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:50, 105; Psalm 19). It is no wonder the psalmist would write, “I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.” (Psalm 119:131) If we could only get out of our own way God wants to transform us through His word, James tries to help us with that by reminding us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

Of Rudders and Bits James 3:3-5

There is a battle we all fight every day: conquering our tongues.  James 3:8  But no human being can tame the tongue.   Our tongues are powerful.  A Google search revealed 19 pages of scriptures that refer to the tongue and its power for good or  destructiveness !!!!  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21)   Proverbs 12:18   “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts…”  James chapter three details the power of the tongue for good and bad.  James 3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

The Battles We Fight

1.We make assumptions sometimes and tell them to others. In Acts 21:37-41  we read that Paul was the subject of a widely communicate false assumption that could have cost him his life.

2.The Lying Tongue  Acts 5:3     Proverbs 6:16-19

3.The Boasting Tongue Luke 18:9-14 

4.The Gossiping Tongue    Proverbs 20:19   

5.The Critical Tongue   Ephesians 4:29

6.The Double Tongue   James 3:9

7.The Hateful  Tongue  Ephesians 4:31-32 

8.The Retribution Tongue   1 Peter 3:9

9. The Explosive Tongue  James 3:8

10.The Correcting Tongue  Ephesians 4:29    Matthew 18:15-17

The Right Uses of the Tongue

There are many ways to constructively use our tongues:

1. To praise God (take time to read through Psalms 148, 149 and 150!)

2.To pray to God 1 Peter 5:7

3.To sing to the Lord (Read Psalm 96).

4.To encourage and help others (So many good ways to do this!)

5.Also consider these scriptures:  Mark 9:50    Romans 12:10    Galatians 6:2    Ephesians 4:32    Colossians 3:16   1 Thessalonians 5:11  Hebrews 3:13    Hebrews 10:24     James 5 :16