9月19日靈修禱文|DEVOTION

September 19th, 2020

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. 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

James 3:5-6

Thought

On our journey to becoming disciples of Christ, it requires a transformation of our entire being. This includes our thoughts, our actions, and our words. James 3 emphatically teaches us how even though the tongue is physically small, it is extremely powerful. The tongue, and be be used for either good for evil. Unfortunately, because we are sinful beings, it is so easy to fall into the habit of using our words carelessly and sinfully. This includes "innocent" white lies, gossiping about others, making jokes at another's expense, disrespectful sarcasm, misusing the name of the Lord, and the list goes on and on.

Since I work in a school setting, something I regularly hear is the excuse that "I was only joking". Proverbs 26:18-19 has more to say about that excuse! It is sad how popular culture has conditioned our minds to think what's funny is making fun of others and laughing at another person's expense. And sadly, when we use our words carelessly in this way, it will eventually end up hurting and/or offending someone. It is true that sticks and stones may break our bones, but it is also true that words have the power to break our spirit.

On the flip side, our words also have tremendous power to lift up someone's spirit. Our words have the power to give life, to encourage, to bless, to inspire, to empower, to intercede. As transformed disciples of Jesus Christ, let us tame our tongues. Let us examine carefully the words that escape our mouths, and enure we use those words in a way that brings honour and glory to Christ.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Thank you for the gift of words. Help me Lord to use my words wisely. Help me to use my words in a way that uplifts others, and brings honour to you. May your Holy Spirit lead me to know who in my life needs encouragement, and may you give me the words needed to lift that person up. I dedicate every word that comes out of my mouth to you Lord, and may you use them for your glory. In Christ's name I pray, Amen

Elder Gabriel Choi

這樣，舌頭在百體裡也是最小的，卻能說大話。看哪，最小的火能點著最大的樹林。舌頭就是火，在我們百體中，舌頭是個罪惡的世界，能污穢全身，也能把生命的輪子點起來，並且是從地獄裡點著的

雅各書 3:5-6

Thought

在我們成為基督門徒的旅程中，會需要我們整個人的轉變。這包括我們的思想，我們的行動和我們的話語。雅各書第3章著重教導我們即使舌頭很小，但舌頭卻非常強大。舌頭可以用於善或用於惡。不幸的是，因為我們是有罪的人，所以容易養成粗心大意地及罪惡地運用我們話語的習慣。這包括“無辜的”白色謊言，閒話他人，以他人作開玩笑的本錢，無禮的嘲諷，濫用耶和華的名等類似例子不勝枚舉。

由於我在學校工作，因此經常聽到的藉口是“我只是在開玩笑”。箴言26:18-19對此藉口有更多的話要說！令人遺憾的是，流行文化如何調節了我們的思想，以為捉弄別人及嘲笑他人是有趣的事。再令人遺憾的是，當我們以這種方式粗心地使用我們的話語時，最終將傷害和/或冒犯他人。棍子和石頭可能會打斷我們的骨頭，但言語有能力弄破我們的心靈也是事實。

另一方面，我們的話語也具有激發他人心靈的巨大力量。我們的話語有能力賦予生命，鼓勵，祝福，鼓舞，動力，調解。作為耶穌基督改造了的門徒，讓我們馴服我們的舌頭。讓我們仔細查看那些逃出我們嘴裡的話，並確保我們用這些話語為基督帶來光榮和榮耀。