Monday, August 11, 2008
James 3:1-4
3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. (ESV)
by Leota Stevens
How does God assess perfection in an individual? He rates perfection as the ability to control the words that we speak so that he is glorified by all our communication. How can something as small as the human tongue cause such chaos and strife and leave us and others shipwrecked on the sea of life? Our words can steer us clear of danger or into trouble. We must be alert and in control of that little rudder or risk collateral damage in those with whom we have contact.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
