Post by Char on Oct 26, 2008 13:49:18 GMT -6
IMPERFECTION AND THE TONGUE
JAMES 3:2
I. CHRISTIAN IMPERFECTION
Some of those things in which believers offend.
In the exercise of the heart, many remains of the carnal mind.
In the communications of their lips, and the actions of their lives,From whence arise these imperfections in the Christian life? From the frailty and weakness of human nature. As the preacher use to say, from a forked tongue, loose on each end. From failing to pray and wait on the Lord. From not reading God’s Word.
. What influence should a consideration of our imperfection produce upon us? Deep humility....Spiritual diligence... Fervent prayer... Forbearance and charity to others... excite within us a longing for heaven.... There we shall be sinless inhabitants of a sinless world.
II. WE ALL HAVE FAULTS.
I have been a good deal up and down in the world, and I never did see either a perfect horse or a perfect man. And I never shall until two sundays come together. Every head has a soft place in it, and every heart has its black drops. Every rose has its prickles, and every day its night. Even the sun shows spots, and skies are darkened with clouds.
Nobody is so wise but he has fully enough to stock a stall at vanity fair.
As there is no sunshine without some shadow.
All men’s faults are not written on their foreheads, and its quite as well they are not, or hats would need wide brims; yet as sure as eggs are eggs, faults of some sort nestle in every man bosom.
There is no telling when a man’s sins may show themselves, for hares (rabbit) pop out of a ditch just when you are not looking for them. If you pretend to be a Christian and you have sin in your life it will pop up when you lest expect it.
A horse that is weak in the legs may not stumble for a mile or two, but its in him, and the rider had better hold him up well.
The tabby-cat is not lapping milk, just now, but leave the dairy door open, and we shall see if she is not as bad a thief as the kitten.
There’s fire in the flint, cool as it looks; wait till the steel gets a knock at it, and you will see.
Every body can read that riddle, but it is not every body that will remember to keep his gun powder out of he way of the candle.
III. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE.
IF ANY MAN OFFEND NOT IN WORD......
What is included is the due government of tongue.
The proper restraint of the tongue...the preservation of a seasonable silence...constant care to avoid those sins of the tongue into which men are in most danger of being betrayed.
A proper employment of the tongue...we should be ever ready to employ our tongues in contributing, as we may be able, to the interest and instruction of the social circle...we must ever be ready, as occasion may call for it, to testify our regard for Christ and determined obedience to His will...we should watch for and improve every occasion of using this faculty, in suggesting such hints as our own circumstances will justify us in offering, and as the cases of others may evidently require.
The great importance of the due government of the tongues. This will appear when we view it.
As a criterion of our Christian character, and the extent of our religious attainments.
The powerful influence of speech over the human passions and conduct.
The solemn responsibility in which we are involved, in reference to the government of the tongue. MATT. 12:36-37...BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT EVERY IDLE WORD THAT MEN SHALL SPEAK, THEY SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT THEREOF IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. FOR BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE JUSTIFIED, AND BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE CONDEMNED.
Suggestions which may aid in attaining a due government of the tongue.
Let us seek a renewed and more spiritual state of the heart and affections.
Let special vigilance be exerted where special danger is probable. If brought into the society of the ungodly, let us take heed, like David, that we sin not with our tongue; that we are not betrayed by the force of example or the power of ridicule into a levity or impropriety of speech we may have cause to regret. Let us earnestly implore Divine assistance and Divine restraint.
IV. UNSERVICEABLE BECAUSE UNDUE HASTE
Many men are in undue haste and impetuous, and at the same time so suddenly angry and excited, that their otherwise most valuable abilities are rendered useless for any good purpose.
V. CURBING THE TONGUE, A DIFFICULT ART.
Some men remind one of the young men who was sent to Socrates to learn oratory; on being introduced to the philosopher, he talked so incessantly that Socrates asked for double fees. Why charge me double? Said the young fellow. "Because" replied the orator, "I must teach you two sciences; the one how to hold your tongue, and the other how to speak." The first science is the more difficult. That is to hold the tongue. (James Shoemake)
JAMES 3:2
I. CHRISTIAN IMPERFECTION
Some of those things in which believers offend.
In the exercise of the heart, many remains of the carnal mind.
In the communications of their lips, and the actions of their lives,From whence arise these imperfections in the Christian life? From the frailty and weakness of human nature. As the preacher use to say, from a forked tongue, loose on each end. From failing to pray and wait on the Lord. From not reading God’s Word.
. What influence should a consideration of our imperfection produce upon us? Deep humility....Spiritual diligence... Fervent prayer... Forbearance and charity to others... excite within us a longing for heaven.... There we shall be sinless inhabitants of a sinless world.
II. WE ALL HAVE FAULTS.
I have been a good deal up and down in the world, and I never did see either a perfect horse or a perfect man. And I never shall until two sundays come together. Every head has a soft place in it, and every heart has its black drops. Every rose has its prickles, and every day its night. Even the sun shows spots, and skies are darkened with clouds.
Nobody is so wise but he has fully enough to stock a stall at vanity fair.
As there is no sunshine without some shadow.
All men’s faults are not written on their foreheads, and its quite as well they are not, or hats would need wide brims; yet as sure as eggs are eggs, faults of some sort nestle in every man bosom.
There is no telling when a man’s sins may show themselves, for hares (rabbit) pop out of a ditch just when you are not looking for them. If you pretend to be a Christian and you have sin in your life it will pop up when you lest expect it.
A horse that is weak in the legs may not stumble for a mile or two, but its in him, and the rider had better hold him up well.
The tabby-cat is not lapping milk, just now, but leave the dairy door open, and we shall see if she is not as bad a thief as the kitten.
There’s fire in the flint, cool as it looks; wait till the steel gets a knock at it, and you will see.
Every body can read that riddle, but it is not every body that will remember to keep his gun powder out of he way of the candle.
III. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE.
IF ANY MAN OFFEND NOT IN WORD......
What is included is the due government of tongue.
The proper restraint of the tongue...the preservation of a seasonable silence...constant care to avoid those sins of the tongue into which men are in most danger of being betrayed.
A proper employment of the tongue...we should be ever ready to employ our tongues in contributing, as we may be able, to the interest and instruction of the social circle...we must ever be ready, as occasion may call for it, to testify our regard for Christ and determined obedience to His will...we should watch for and improve every occasion of using this faculty, in suggesting such hints as our own circumstances will justify us in offering, and as the cases of others may evidently require.
The great importance of the due government of the tongues. This will appear when we view it.
As a criterion of our Christian character, and the extent of our religious attainments.
The powerful influence of speech over the human passions and conduct.
The solemn responsibility in which we are involved, in reference to the government of the tongue. MATT. 12:36-37...BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT EVERY IDLE WORD THAT MEN SHALL SPEAK, THEY SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT THEREOF IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. FOR BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE JUSTIFIED, AND BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE CONDEMNED.
Suggestions which may aid in attaining a due government of the tongue.
Let us seek a renewed and more spiritual state of the heart and affections.
Let special vigilance be exerted where special danger is probable. If brought into the society of the ungodly, let us take heed, like David, that we sin not with our tongue; that we are not betrayed by the force of example or the power of ridicule into a levity or impropriety of speech we may have cause to regret. Let us earnestly implore Divine assistance and Divine restraint.
IV. UNSERVICEABLE BECAUSE UNDUE HASTE
Many men are in undue haste and impetuous, and at the same time so suddenly angry and excited, that their otherwise most valuable abilities are rendered useless for any good purpose.
V. CURBING THE TONGUE, A DIFFICULT ART.
Some men remind one of the young men who was sent to Socrates to learn oratory; on being introduced to the philosopher, he talked so incessantly that Socrates asked for double fees. Why charge me double? Said the young fellow. "Because" replied the orator, "I must teach you two sciences; the one how to hold your tongue, and the other how to speak." The first science is the more difficult. That is to hold the tongue. (James Shoemake)
