Blog Archives

Encouragement for the Journey

7/26/2015

The Pilgrims Song

"My rest is in heaven; my rest is not here;

Then why should I murmur when trials are near?

Be hushed, my dark spirit, the worst that can come,

But shortens thy journey and hastens thee home.

It is not for me to be seeking my bliss,

And building my hopes in a region like this:

I look for a city which hands have not piled,

I pant for a country by sin undefiled.

Afflictions may damp me, they cannot destroy;

One glimpse of Thy love turns them all into joy.

And the bitterest of tears, if Thou smile but on them

like dew in the sunshine, grow diamond and gem.

Let doubt then, and danger, my progress oppose;

They only make heaven more sweet at the close.

Come joy, or come sorrow, whate’er may befall,

An hour with my God will make up for it all.

A scrip on my back, and a staff in my hand,

I march on in haste through an enemy’s land.

The road maybe rough, but it cannot be long;

I'll smooth it with hope, and I'll cheer it with song."

Author Unknown

Snapshots of Faith: The Remnant Principle

7/26/2015

The Church of Laodicea was so prosperous that, it can be said of today's Church, "They had everything they needed but God."

This caused them to become lukewarm, and made the Lord so sick that He would vomit them out of His mouth. Being lukewarm is the worst condition a Christian can fall into. It reveals an ultimate contempt for the Lord. Indifference is the greatest affront to any relationship. Therefore, to know Almighty God and be lukewarm toward Him is the greatest insult of all.

The Lord called the Church at Laodicea to "therefore be zealous and repent" (see Rev. 3:19).

I believe He is calling the church today to do the same. We must recover and keep our zeal for the Lord if we are going to make it through these times. How do we do that?

The Lord sent fire from His presence to light the fire on the altar in both the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple that Solomon built. He then commanded the priests to keep the fire going. God has lit every fire in every heart that has ever turned to Him. However, He expects us to keep it going. We do this by prayer, worship, daily reading and studying His written Word to us, fellowship with others who have the fire, and being the witnesses we are called to be.

We lose the fire when we give ourselves to sin and wickedness. This leads to lawlessness as described in Romans 6. The Lord warned that lawlessness would cause the love of most to grow cold. This has been well proven in our times.

However, the word of God tells our broken culture; You don’t have to be ignorant, and live in blindness.

The Lord is not tolerant of ignorance so evident in our culture. People who blindly go about unknowing. He is pretty clear on how he sees us. When you observe blindness, unwillingness to learn, or grow, even in the Church, think on these things:

Eph. 4:18
They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Proverbs 19:2
Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

Proverbs 8:5
O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

The Remnant Principle

As we continue deeper into the end-times, the unity of the Church is going to be tested to the maximum. As the “love of many grows cold”, the ability to keep the glue of fellowship within a body of believer’s is going to shrink. But, God has always had a remnant; it will always be so.

The unity of the Church that is coming, I believe will only include about 10% of Christians. I know that sounds unbelievable to many, but there is truth to this. Even in light of knowing we are entering the greatest harvest, a sound and repeated Biblical truth is "the remnant principle."

The remnant principle was at work when the resurrected Lord told five hundred people to go to Jerusalem to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. However, just a few weeks later, there were only 120 gathered there. Yet that remnant was in "one accord" or unity. Do you realize that often our Churches or ministries are shrinking so that we can come into a higher unity that can release a greater glory and purpose?

As Abraham demonstrated, true faith grows stronger with the passage of time, not weaker. The passage of time between when the promise is given and the fulfillment of that promise will usually thin out the crowd by removing those who do not have true faith, but are just caught up in the excitement of the moment.

The remnant principle was at work in Elijah’s day also. When God met him in the cave, after he had run from Jezebel, the prophet poured out his complaint to Him:

1Ki 19:9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

1Ki 19:10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

But, what was God’s answer to him? The remnant principle:

1Ki 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

This does not mean that those with true faith will not waver sometimes, but overall, true faith grows with the passage of time. Is our faith growing stronger, or are we going to slip into the majority that drifts away?

I've made my share of mistakes, and fallen. I don't wait a day, or a week to repent, I admit my wrong as soon as the conviction of the Holy Spirit shows me I've sinned. Anyone who tells me they never fall, because they are the righteousness of God in Christ; well.....that is between you and the Lord, He knows the truth.

People tend to draw their security by how many people are with them. True faith doesn't. True faith is faith in God, not how many people are with us. True faith is demonstrated by patience, which is why we are told that it is through "faith and patience" that we will inherit the promises (see Heb. 6:12).

In this Laodicea culture today, there is a remnant for God. He knows who are His, and His eyes are on them, and they are “hidden in the cleft of the rock”, and that Rock is Jesus Christ.
Lorna Couillard
2013

Managing Medications

7/18/2015

Taking medications is an ongoing circumstance for many seniors on a daily basis. There are some points that must be adhered to in order to avoid mistakes that can cause serious harm, even death.

Check, and Recheck:

Before taking a medication, double-check the label to be sure that you are taking it according to your doctor’s instructions.

Never rely on your memory, especially since seniors tend to take so many different medications. You may have several medications with similar names and a medication mistake can be costly.

Also, make sure you’re giving the correct dosage. If there are instructions for “weaning” off a medication, be sure to follow these exactly. Medications like oral steroids may have serious side effects if not taken correctly when you are trying to stop a medication that may have been taken long-term.

Are you taking the medication correctly? Is it an oral medicine or is it an injectable medicine? An oral medicine that is accidentally injected could have painful, if not lethal consequences.

Finally, make sure you’re giving the medicine at the right time.

There is generally a two hour window of time that a medicine can be given. This window starts one hour before the medicine is prescribed and ends one hour after its time. For example, if a medicine is prescribed at 2 p.m., you can usually start giving it at 1 p.m. up until 3 p.m. During this window, you can usually take the prescribed dosage without harmful side effects. To be sure that the window of time applies to your situation, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Seniors may have problems with feeling in the tips of their fingers and may have difficulty feeling the pills in their hands. Watch for medicines on the floor around the area where they generally take their medicines. If there are several pills on the floor or on the cabinet, it could be a sign that they are dropping one of their pills and not getting the medication they need.

Caregivers can develop a system where they watch them take medicines or even administer the medications themselves.

Taken properly, all medications have their purpose. Determining the best way for your loved one to take medicines may take some work and documentation on your part in order to develop the right management system for your household and comfort level. Be sure to check with your loved one’s physician and pharmacist if you suspect a problem or need additional information.

Snapshots of Faith: A Child of the King

7/18/2015

The story is told of a rich lady, who was very unhappy. She said to her chauffeur one day, Jim I want you to take me for a drive this afternoon. I am simply bored with everything.

After a considerable amount of driving through the nice part of the city, Jim started driving through the slum section. The rich lady’s eyes fell upon the poor, ragged, and dirty children who lived in shacks and played in unpaved streets. As they drove slowly over the dusty and bumpy streets she heard someone singing and observed it was a man digging a ditch. Say Jim, she said, pull up and stop. I think I’d like to talk to that man.

She got out and picked her way through the weeds toward the digging man. As she approached, she heard something like this:

I’m a child of the King, a child of the King,
With Jesus my Savior I’m a child of the King.

Pardon me sir for interrupting but did you not say, you’re a child of the King?

The man looked up rather startled, being timid in the first place; He just stood and looked at her pleasantly as if to say, Yes, I am.

She continued, I don’t think I know your father or who He might be. Maybe you’ll tell me about Him and just who He is.

The man just smiled and bent back to his digging, singing--
My Father is rich in houses and land,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands.
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full He has riches untold. I’m a child--

Please excuse the interrupting again. I don’t understand how you can be a child of the King. It just doesn’t add up. A child of a King does not dig ditches and earn his living by the sweat of his brow. Please explain what this is all about.

He just smiled and bent back to his digging, singing
I once was an outcast, a stranger on earth.
A sinner by choice, an alien by birth.
But I’ve been adopted my name’s written down.
I’m an heir to a mansion a robe and a crown. I’m a child of the--

No! Please not again. You say you’re a child of the King. Here you are, sweaty, dirty, grimy, digging a ditch, trying to earn a little money. A child of the King! Hump! Listen man, you don’t have enough money to buy clothes for your wife and children, and to furnish them with a decent home. A child of the King!! Hump! By the way, where do you live?

He smiled and pointed toward a leaning shack, across the tracks on a little knoll above the creek. As she looked toward his house, He bent to his digging, singing--

A tent or a cottage why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there.
Though exiled from home, yet still I can sing,
All glory to God, I’m a child of the --

No, no, no! Not again! A child of the King, of all the crazy things. She hesitated, and then in disgust, yet with the expression of a disappointed longing, she looked at him and said,

I CAN’T SEE HOW A MAN WHO HAS SO LITTLE CAN ACT LIKE HE HAS SO MUCH.
She turned and walked briskly away toward the waiting limousine, got in and zoomed away, leaving behind a great cloud of dust.

The man leaned on his shovel and watched as she made her sudden departure. As the dust cleared away, He said with a feeling of deep, deep, sympathy,
I CAN’T SEE HOW A WOMAN CAN ACT LIKE SHE HAS SO MUCH, WHEN REALLY SHE HAS NOTHING.

Then smiling he went back to his digging, singing,
I’m a child of the King, a child of the King.
With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King.

Platitudes

7/14/2015

While I worked at the Atkinson Residence, I took care of an elderly lady named Charlotte. She was in her 80’s, a widow who had been a pastor’s wife for over 50 years. There were often times we would be visiting together, and she would share things about her life as a pastor’s wife, and I learned a lot from her. I loved her, because she was very honest, and shared things that many women in ministry today never touch on.

One night, it was very late; but as usual Charlotte was awake, and I could hear her rummaging around up in her room. I decided to go up and see if I could help her in some way. I opened her door, and peeked in. She looked at me and smiled “Come on in, and sit down, do you have time to visit?” All the rest of the folks were settled in for the night, so I said yes. I came in and sat down on the edge of her bed. We talked for quite a while, then she went to a subject she had never spoken of before.

“I often wish I had known the mistakes and harm I did many times when as a pastor’s wife I would try to counsel or comfort the women in our churches who became widow’s. I thought I was giving wonderful advice, and being a great comfort to them, but over the years as I looked back and remembered the smug remarks, and flippant attitude I had; I realize now how much my “wonderful counseling approach” was nothing but empty platitudes. How it must have added to their heavy hearts; when they were already carrying deep scars of grief.

It took my losing my own husband when he died of a heart attack, before I came to realize the harm my arrogance, and self assuredness had probably done. I’ve had to ask the Lord to forgive me, and hope those women found it in their hearts to forgive me too.”

As I listened to her, my own situation came to mind. I was watching my husband decline again rapidly in the past several years. He had a heart attack, but had lived a long time on medications, and did well for a long time, but his heart had suffered more damage, and the doctor’s had told us he could not survive surgery. His options were few, and we both knew he may not have much longer to live. It had been a long hard battle for him over the past 23 years since his first heart attack. Her relaying this to me was like a look into my future. She did not realize the impact her sharing this had on me, and I never told her. But, I looked at her and said “God is much more understanding, and forgiving of our blindness than we can imagine. I am sure He has forgiven you. Thank you for sharing this with me.”

Life is ironic at times. My husband died in July of 2004, and Charlotte died only a few months later in September of the same year. I was one of the last people to see her before she passed away. We embraced as she laid in ICU, hooked up to the life support monitors, and her face was beaming with joy; because she was ready to go home to heaven, and said so. Her weak, small hand reached up to touch mine, with what strength she had she gestured me to come closer to her. I leaned down and she said, “You will be the last widow I get to give comfort to. Just let God know your heartaches; He is big enough to handle your sorrows, and He will never run out of love for you. People may not understand, but He does, depend on Him. Remember, I’ll see you soon.”

We embraced; while the monitors continued to hum and click around us, I had a hard time opening my eyes; they had filled with tears. But, I looked into her beaming eyes, and said “When you get there, tell Lynn I love him, and yes, I will see you soon.” I knew she was very weak, and I had to go. I looked behind me at her laying there alone, one more time, knowing it would be the last time we saw one another in this life. I said a silent prayer that God would take her quickly, (which He did within 24hrs.). She is safe at home now.

Lorna Couillard

Snapshots of Faith: Study in James Ch. 5

7/14/2015

James 5:7-20 Patience and Prayer

In Verse 5:7, several Bible translations read, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord." Why does James start this section with the word "therefore" or "then?"

It ties it to the previous section. This is his conclusion to the warnings just before. "Therefore, since there is no future in speaking against each other, making plans on your own, or clinging to your wealth, what are you to do when pressed and discouraged in the midst of ongoing or difficult trials? You are to be patient until the coming of the Lord."

When a farmer patiently waits for his crops to grow, does he do nothing?

No. A farmer doesn’t just go on vacation after spring planting and hope for the best. There is much work to be done to ensure a good harvest: weeding, cultivation, fertilization, thinning, irrigation.

What is the parallel between the farmer waiting for the harvest and us waiting for the coming of the Lord?

We must wait patiently, but while we are waiting there is much work to be done to advance God’s kingdom. Both the farmer and the Christian must live by faith looking toward an unseen future reward for their labors.

When James says in Verse 5:8 "the coming of the Lord is near" (or at hand) does this mean that James thought that Jesus would return in his lifetime and was wrong?

No. It means that Jesus’ coming is always, eternally at hand and that his coming back should be closer, nearer, and more real to us than any other event that we have planned for or are waiting for. It is the reality around which we should orient our lives. His coming truly has been near (or at hand) throughout Christian history.

In discussing patience, why does James insert a seeming incongruous thought about grumbling against one another in Verse 5:9?

When things don’t come to pass as you hope or expect, it’s tempting to blame someone else. Blaming others is easier than taking responsibility. Furthermore, when we are grumbling against one another, our focus is not on God’s reality and work in our lives but on the inequalities we see as we focus on those around us. James doesn’t qualify this. He doesn’t say, "don’t grumble unless you have a good reason to." When we are grumbling, we are unable to receive God’s peace and we are unable to give (or receive) a blessing from another person. When we grumble we are not content with God’s work in our lives and in those around us.

"Grumbling" is not specifically prohibited in the ten commandments. What does James say will happen if you grumble against a brother? (Genesis 3:11-19, Matthew 7:1-5, 25:31-46).

By "grumbling" James means blaming someone else and not taking responsibility for your actions (or lack of action). And in this case, lack of action in forwarding the kingdom of God is probably the major factor. Remember, Christ the judge will come -- no ifs, ands, or buts about it -- and will judge each or us. And he will not let us get away with shifting the blame to others.

Why does James connect suffering (Verse 5:10) with being patient until the coming of the Lord? (1 Sam 22, 1 Kings 18:3-4, 2 Kings 6:31, 2 Chron 16:7-10, 2 Chron 24:20-22, Jeremiah 26:20-23, Matt 14:3-13, Acts 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, Heb 13:23)

As we’ve discussed, being patient and waiting for the Lord implies preparing for the harvest and advancing the kingdom of God. It means speaking out. It often means taking an unpopular position. It means doing something, not just standing idly by. There are three kinds of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder, "what happened?" Christians are (or should be) in the first group.

In Verse 5:12, why does James speak out against taking an oath?

James is actually not condemning taking a solemn oath such as God's to Abraham (Heb 6:13) or Jesus before Caiaphas (Matt 26:63-64) or Paul's (Romans 1:9 and 9:1). Rather he is condemning the flippant use of God's name or a sacred object to guarantee the truth of what is spoken.

A person with a reputation for exaggeration or lying often can’t get anyone to believe him on his word alone. Christians should never be like that. Always be honest so others will believe your simple "yes" or "no." By avoiding lies, half-truths, and omissions of the truth, you will become known as a trustworthy person. When we do not let our yes be yes and our no be no, we are doubleminded. This does not reflect God’s character. God is never doubleminded about us.

What earlier verse does 5:13 connect with? (Think "suffering.")

Remember our first memory verse, Verse 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence." So here we are again with the idea of praying and going to God with our troubles and suffering. Also our memory verse from two lessons ago, verses 4:7-8, "Surrender to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." James is very consistent with this message: if you have problems, take them to God; if things are going well, praise God. No matter what your situation, communicate regularly with God.

In Verse 5:15, James refers to a prayer "offered in faith." Whose faith?

This does not refer to the faith of the sick person, but to the faith of the people praying.

Verse 5:15 seems to promise guaranteed instantaneous answers to prayers offered in faith. Does that mean when there is no healing, we lack real faith?

First of all, God heals, faith doesn’t. Second, all of our prayers are subject to God’s will. Third, to God, healing might well mean something different than it does to us. Fourth, God’s ways are not our ways. Fifth, a prayer of faith is one that hands everything over to God, confident in his character and purposes rather than our answers. Sixth, by not answering a prayer in the way that we hoped or expected, God may actually be testing or building our faith.

Why does James talk about confessing your sins to each other in Verse 5:16?

Although we can go directly to God for forgiveness, don’t forget that the only petition in the Lord’s prayer with a catch to it is forgiveness. "Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive others." So confession is an important part of the Christian life. We confess to others and hopefully others will forgive us. Conversely, when others confess to us, we must forgive them. In Paul, we find the rule that if our sin has affected the church, we must confess it publically. Also, if we need loving support as we struggle with a sin, we should confess it to someone who can give us that support, basically an accountability partner.

Why does James emphasize bringing someone back to the faith in verses 5:19-20?

God does not want to lose a single person to the devil so James urges Christians to help backsliders return to God. By taking the initiative, praying, and acting in love we can meet the person where he is and bring him back to God and his forgiveness.

What’s the bottom line in the book of James?

Faith in action. Right living is the evidence and result of faith. Believers ought to be an example of heaven on earth drawing people to Christ through love for God and each other. If we truly believe God’s word, we will LIVE it day by day. God’s word is not merely something to read or think about, but something we DO. Belief, faith, and trust must have hands and feet—OURS.

Lorna Couillard

2009 teaching for Teen Challenge

Humor: A Caregivers Medication

7/5/2015

Unexpected humorous moments are common in care-giving. In fact, caregiving can be enlivened by the unprompted remarks and unintentional antics of an elderly parent.

But should we feel guilty about laughing? Is our laughter a sign of disrespect or a lack of love for our family member? Do we want to laugh but don't because we're afraid of seeming insensitive?

Even in the most dire of circumstances, elder care professionals insist that it is OK, even helpful, to laugh. "Not only is laughing OK, it's absolutely necessary. However, right at the outset I will emphasize that by no means is disrespect, ridicule, vulgarity or profanity in humor ever acceptable in the care giving realm. Humor and laughter is a great tool to aid in the emotional and mental situation for both caregiver and the loved one; but it is never to be done in a way that demeans them or strips them of their dignity. This is not a difficult issue to deal with in our minds, all we need to do is ask ourselves “How would I like to be treated in if I was in their situation.” This brings clarity to our actions and behavior.

Many times caregiving is a seen as a dreadful task, and very depressing. When we go in with that attitude, that's what it becomes. It is stressful and awful, but when we're having a horrible day, a good day is sure to follow. And even in the midst of those horrible days, there are funny moments that happen. Recognize and appreciate those moments.

Finding and holding onto humorous stories of your own can help you keep an upbeat perspective in spite of the challenges of being a caregiver. When you make up your mind to set this as your goal, it improves the task immensely, and it lightens the atmosphere for both you and the loved one your caring for.

Take Alzheimer’s disease for example. It robs elders of their memories and ability to care for themselves, and that is tragic. Certainly Alzheimer's is an awful disease, and there is nothing funny about it. But there are funny moments that happen. When you laugh, you're not laughing at them; you're laughing because the moment is funny. "If we don't follow the whole spectrum of emotion, we get lost in the oppression of a chronic disease. The disease takes our dignity, our memory, and every moment of joy; if we allow it to. But the key is: we don’t have to allow it to have control of every aspect of our lives; we can rise above it, and let joy and laughter change how we manage our difficulties. Stressful activities such as bath time, if the loved one is greatly disabled can become much less of a struggle if we lighten the situation with kindness, patience and humor.

Your laughter can also send a positive, non-alarming message to the elder. If you don't get upset during a challenging, it's likely that they won't either. Laughing can turn into a tension relieving exercise for the caregiver and person with Alzheimer's who, while cognitively impaired, is still greatly influenced by ambient tensions.

Caregiving is our final walk with our loved one. We must ask ourselves these questions: What do you want that journey to look like? Do you want it be miserable and laden with despair? Or do you want it to be a special time in which special memories are made.

As a caregiver it’s important to give up the role of the martyr. The stereotype for caregivers is they are supposed to feel overwhelmed and exhausted and without hope. When that mentality takes over, it's a recipe for disaster. Don't fall into victimization. Avoid adopting this mentality. It's a horrible place to be and the longer you stay there, the more difficult it becomes to get out.

Caregiving is difficult and you cannot dismiss the gravity and hardship of the situation. But, during the tough times, don’t forget the importance of humor. Allow a smile, or humorous comment to lighten the situation, and make precious memories in your spirit, and hold them in your heart. When you're loved one is gone, you'll be glad you did.

Snapshots of Faith: A Study in James 3:1-12

7/5/2015

Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

In Verse 3:1, who was James warning about becoming a teacher? And why?

Teaching was a highly valued and respected profession in Jewish culture and many Jews who embraced Christianity wanted to become teachers. James warned that although it is good to aspire to teach, the teachers' responsibility is great because their words and example affects others' spiritual lives.

Does James' observation about judging teachers more strictly apply today? (Luke 12:48)

Yes. Those who wish to teach others ought be judged more strictly than those following other professions. Of those who have much, much is required.

Would a similar warning apply to becoming a substance abuse counselor or a sponsor?
Yes. Most definitely.

Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

In Verse 3:2, James says, "if anyone makes no mistakes in what he says, he is a perfect man." Is anyone a perfect man?

No, Jesus was the only perfect man. However, what James seems to be saying is that since the tongue is so difficult to control, anyone who controls it perfectly gains control of himself in other ares of life as well.

Why is James emphasizing being perfect in Verse 3:2 and also back in Verse 1:4 ("be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing")?

We know that we are incomplete and imperfect now, but this is not where we are going to remain. God is taking us to perfection that is full and complete. His clear purpose is that we become his fully mature children, fully able to participate in a relationship of love with Him, where we will have a deep sense of satisfaction in all of our life. A perfect relationship with God overflows into perfection in our relationships with one another and with ourselves. Trusting in God for our life and our identity frees us from trusting those who have power or wealth. We are freed to care for others and receive from others, to bless others and allow ourselves to be blessed by those that God brings into our lives.

How can we move closer to perfection?
To participate in our own perfection that God wants for us, we must turn from those things that encumber us and turn from false idols and must trust in God and hand more of our life over to Him. And one way God intends to transform us is in what we say.

In Verse 2, is James talking about what we say or what we don't say?
Both. Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn't.

Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

James gives four examples of a small thing controlling or overpowering a large one. What are they?

Bit controls a horse. Rudder controls a ship. Spark sets a forest on fire. Tongue corrupts whole person.

Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Why does he emphasize the negative example of the fire so much more than the positive examples of the horse's bit or ship's rudder? (Matthew 15:11, 18-19)

The bit and rudder have a positive influence and one's tongue can also have such an influence. If a horseman or sailor is careless, he can get into trouble by being thrown off the horse or running the ship aground. But James seems to feel that the tongue's wickedness has its source in hell itself. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against each other, Hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly (like a fire) and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. We dare not be careless with what we say because even if we apologize later, the scars remain (as with a forest fire). A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Secondly, he feels that like a fire, the tongue is extremely difficult if not impossible to control (Verses 7-8).

What are some examples of an untamed tongue? (Proverbs 12:18-19, 13:3, 16:27, 17:7, 18:8, 25:18, Matt 7:15, Eph 4:25, Philippians 2:14

Gossip. Putting others down. Bragging. Manipulating. False teaching. Exaggerating. Complaining. Flattering. Lying. Boasting. Ridicule. Sarcasm. Praising evil deeds.

There's an old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Is it true?
NO. Example: untold numbers of children commit suicide every year because of ruthless cruelty, taunting, and bullying by other children. The elderly become unresponsive, and sullen, and also commit suicide because of cruelty and abuse.

If no human being can control the tongue (Verse 8), why bother trying? (Psalm 140:1-3)

Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

As we've seen, your tongue guides your whole person. First you lash out at someone in anger. You complain about him. Then you tell someone else about this creep, spread a little gossip. Then you start exaggerating the story and boasting about it. And maybe it makes you feel like you have some power. And you like the feeling of power, so you start boasting and manipulating things to get some more. Don't forget, Satan is helping you every step of the way. And before long, this becomes a way of life. Putting other people down. Power. Evil.
So why bother trying to control your tongue. Just because it IS guiding your whole person. Even if we can't achieve perfect control, we can still learn enough control to reduce the damage that our words do. It is better to fight a fire than to go around setting new ones. And remember, you're not fighting the fire alone. The Holy Spirit will give you increasing power to monitor and control what you say. So when you are offended by someone, the Holy Spirit will remind you of God's love so you won't respond in a hateful manner. Or when you are criticized, the Holy Spirit will heal the hurt so you don't have to lash out. Remember what we studied earlier, God is taking us to perfection and this is one of the steps.

Have you ever said contradictory things as in Verses 9-10? Which speech pattern represents your true identity?

Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Jas 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Jas 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Actually, the tongue gives us a picture of our basic human nature. We were made in God's image but we've fallen into sin. God wants to help us and has given each of us the gift of the Holy Spirit. When you open your heart to the Holy Spirit, you'll have the self-control so you'll speak the words that are pleasing to God.

How is the power of words used by the Holy Spirit within a person of faith?

Real faith uses the Spirit's power in words to build others up, to speak the truth in love, to compliment, forgive, and comfort. And, as James wrote earlier, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" (1:19,20). Real faith knows when to hold its tongue.

To think about: Do your words more often help than hurt? Do they reveal your true self, or do they conceal you from others? Do they hide God, or do they praise him? Do you say the same words when someone is present as when he's absent? Are you more likely to wield your tongue as a weapon of your flesh, or employ it as an instrument of the Spirit?
Lorna Couillard
2009 teaching for Teen Challenge