James Expounds on Faith Volume 34

Taming the Tongue 😝 Part 5

James 3:9-10 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

Next the Apostle James points out the contrast of the service of our 😝 tongues in how we use it to sing praises to our Father in Heaven and pray to Him through our Lord Jesus Christ and to declare to Him how much we love 😍 and adore Him, yet we then, when we are angered, agitated, or anguished by another human being made in the very image of the God we bless with our tongues 😝 we forget that immediately and then spew out some venom that is ruinous to our own souls and aimed to hurt the soul or souls we are speaking to or speaking of. as it is written with these words, "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." (James 3:9-10) (KJV). So, I remind you reader and I especially remind myself because I am prone to respond the way my 'old man' 👨 would commonly do with words which do not honor my Father in Heaven, so I again want us to read these words from Brother Matthew Henry written long ago before our time here on the earth 🌎 speaking about these same passages of Scripture from the Apostle James, "Yet the tongue is worse than these, and cannot be tamed by the power and art which serves to tame these things. No man can tame the tongue without supernatural grace and assistance.' The Apostle does not intend to represent it as a thing impossible, but as a thing extremely difficult, which therefore will require great watchfulness, and pains, and prayer, to keep it in due order. And sometimes all is too little; for it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Brute creatures may be kept within certain bounds, they may be managed by certain rules, and even serpents may be so used as to do not hurt with all their poison; but the tongue is apt to break through all bounds and rules, and to spit out its poison on one occasion or other, notwithstanding the utmost care. So that not only does it need to be watched, and guarded, and governed, as much as an unruly beast, or a hurtful and poisonous creature, but much more care and pains will be needful to prevent the mischievous outbreakings and effects of the tongue."

The desire to honor God with our words has been implanted within us at our 'new birth' (John 3:5), however, as we all know our 'old nature' remains on the inside of us, therefore, we find this desire being overwhelmed, overwritten, and overrun by our 'old nature' many ⌚ times, just as the Apostle Paul spoke concerning himself (and it applies to all of us brothers and sisters 'in Christ') with these words, "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." (Romans 7:14-20) (NKJV). The Apostle Paul goes on in Chapter 8 of Romans to declare how we can only be successful in our not using our 😝 tongues to bless God and then curse other human beings made in His image with these words, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:2-11)(NKJV). So, we see then that we have been given freedom from our enslavement to the sins of the tongue 😝 as well as the sins of drug addiction, pornography, adultery, fornication, and all the others Paul listed in Galatians 5:19 when we yield to the Holy Spirit as He ignites our 'new man' 👨 or 'new nature' which desires to please God and this is only how we can please Him as we walk or live out our pilgrimage home to Heaven. As I said in Volume 33, when we yield we win, when we do not yield we lose. Christ has made us to be winners and not losers, therefore, our responsibility is only to yield and He (Jesus) will do the winning for us. Amen!!!

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of James 3:9-10, "Therewith bless we God - We men do this; that is, all this is done by the tongue. The Apostle does not mean that the same man does this, but that all this is done by the same organ - the tongue. Even the Father - Who sustains to us the relation of a father. The point in the remark of the Apostle is, the absurdity of employing the tongue in such contradictory uses as to bless one who has to us the relation of a father, and to curse any being, especially those who are made in His image. The word bless here is used in the sense of praise, thank, worship. And therewith curse we men - That is, it is done by the same organ by which God is praised and honored. Which are made after the similitude of God - After His image, Genesis 1:26-27. As we bless God, we ought with the same organ to bless those who are like Him. There is an absurdity in cursing men who are thus made, like what there would be in both blessing and cursing the Creator Himself. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing - The meaning here may be, either that out of the mouth of man two such opposite things proceed, not referring to the same individual, but two different persons; or, out of the mouth of the same individual. Both of these are true; and both are equally incongruous and wrong. No organ should be devoted to uses so unlike, and the mouth should be employed in giving utterance only to that which is just, benevolent, and good. It is true, however, that the mouth is devoted to these opposite employments; and that while one part of the race employ it for purposes of praise, the other employ it in uttering maledictions. It is also true of many individuals that at one time they praise their Maker, and then, with the same organ, calumniaten (charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone), and slander, and revile their fellow-men. After an act of solemn devotion in the house of God, the professed worshipper goes forth with the feelings of malice in his heart, and the language of slander, detraction, or even blasphemy on his lips. My brethren, these things ought not so to be - They are as incongruous as it would be for the same fountain to send forth both salt water and fresh; or for the same tree to bear different kinds of fruit."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…


 

James Expounds on Faith Volume 33

 Taming the Tongue 😝 Part 4

James 3:7-8 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: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James now makes the statement that 'mankind' or better quoted 'humanity' has been able to tame or has tamed many of the wild animals placed upon the earth by God. We go back above to the Apostles illustration of the horse 🐴 having a bit placed in their mouths to control them and all of their movements, yet now he reminds us that though humanity has been able to tame certain animals and domesticate them from their wildness into usefulness, the tongue 😝 of mankind is still undomesticated, as he writes these words back then to the twelve tribes of Jewish converts to Christ and ✍ written now to we converts to Christ today and from every era and generation since he first 🖋 penned this letter almost a couple of millenniums ago, "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: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:7-8) (KJV). Despite our best efforts, that is, humanity, we all have fallen short or sinned mightily with this very small member of the human anatomy. Our Lord Jesus Christ had plenty to say concerning where and why these vile things spring forth from human beings, for this is what he spoke to the Pharisees and Scribes, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:33-37) (NKJV), He also said this, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (Matthew 15:18-19)(NKJV). When our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of the 'heart', He speaks of the inner man 👨 or inner woman 👩, which is where the singular unique, that is, the single one of its kind spirit/soul resides inside the human body which makes up a person's will, thoughts, and emotions and therefore, out of the soul (influenced by the old nature passed down by Adam or influenced by the new nature @ regeneration and the new birth through yielding to God the Holy Spirit) the tongue 😝 speaks from where the soul is yielded.

As followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, the battle with this 'old man' still within us will never cease or stop. There is a conflict or fight or struggle or war raging on between the 'old man' and the 'new man' at all ⌚ times, as it is written for us by the Apostle Paul with these words, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:16-26) (NKJV). The 'flesh' being our 'old man' and the 'Spirit' being our 'new man' or 'new nature' yielded to the control of the Holy Spirit. We win when we yield and we lose every time we do not yield and this is not a daily battle, this is second by second, minute by minute, and hour by hour battle until we meet our Savior in death or when we are caught up with Him in the air at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:7-8, "As if the Apostle had said, 'Lions, and the most savage beasts, as well as horses and camels, and creatures of the greatest strength, have been tamed and governed by men: so have birds, notwithstanding their wildness and timorousness, and their wings to bear them up continually out of our reach: even serpents, notwithstanding all their venom and all their cunning, have been made familiar and harmless: and things in the sea have been taken by men, and made serviceable to them. And these creatures have not been subdued nor tamed by miracle only (as the lions crouched to Daniel, instead of devouring him, and ravens fed Elijah, and a whale carried Jonah through the depths of the sea to dry land), but what is here spoken of is something commonly done; not only hath been tamed, but is tamed of mankind. Yet the tongue is worse than these, and cannot be tamed by the power and art which serves to tame these things. No man can tame the tongue without supernatural grace and assistance.' The Apostle does not intend to represent it as a thing impossible, but as a thing extremely difficult, which therefore will require great watchfulness, and pains, and prayer, to keep it in due order. And sometimes all is too little; for it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Brute creatures may be kept within certain bounds, they may be managed by certain rules, and even serpents may be so used as to do not hurt with all their poison; but the tongue is apt to break through all bounds and rules, and to spit out its poison on one occasion or other, notwithstanding the utmost care. So that not only does it need to be watched, and guarded, and governed, as much as an unruly beast, or a hurtful and poisonous creature, but much more care and pains will be needful to prevent the mischievous outbreakings and effects of the tongue."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 32

 Taming the Tongue 😝 Part 3

James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

Now the Apostle gives us the details, the description, and the diagnosis of the power that lay within our 😝 tongues to do that which is bad for the desecration of our inner man 👨 or inner woman 👩 if we do not bridle it, as it is written, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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." (James 3:5-6) (KJV). Not only is the Apostle James speaking here of the speech which proceeds from every individual member of our Lord Jesus Christ, but he could also be speaking of those who claim to speak for Christ having a talent for oratory or speaking in public, but they do not declare the truth of the Gospel and the entire Word of God, instead by their boastful speech using elequent language and flattering the hearts of sinful men and women they spark a movement that leads the souls of men and women into a lie 🤥 and into eternal darkness forever; think of the damage that has been done in this manner by the one man Joseph Smith through whom there are now currently approximately 25 million souls in this darkness world 🗺 wide because of the little spark or flame kindled by one man less than a couple of centuries ago. Whether or not the Apostle is speaking of both the individual and the use of his or her tongue 😝 or the latter, the tongue 😝 has the power to do that which is good in the individual and to do that which is good to and for many individual people when that tongue 😝 is used to declare the true Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and that our Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to God because He is God (John 14:6). The Proverbs declare these words concerning the tongue 😝, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) (NKJV). When the tongue 😝 is used in the hearing of many people to declare the true Gospel then life proceeds from it, likewise when any of us individual brothers or sisters 'in Christ' submit to His authority and allow Him to govern our speech then life will proceed from that brother or sister just as water comes up from the ground of a well, as our Lord Jesus said with these words to the woman at the well who had slept with many men, "Jesus answered and said to her, 'Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)(NKJV). When we drink from Him as our fountain of living water, then our speech will spring up pleasing to Him and edifying to ourselves and to others. On the other hand, when our individual tongues are spewing vile, volatile, or violent speech then our inner man 👨 or inner woman 👩 will suffer decay, deterioration, and desolation from closeness with our Father in Heaven and we will lose the joy of our salvation. The tongue 😝 is not a unique member of the body that can act on its own without governing or control, for as we heard from our Lord Jesus Christ it is what or in this case who is governing our inner man 👨 or inner woman 👩 which determines the nature of our speech. Will it be Christ? or Will it be ourselves?

Christ Jesus our Lord will not force His Governing Authority upon us, but we must yield to His authority. The Apostle Paul said this of our speech, "Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." (Colossians 4:5-6) (NKJV). This is a hard command for me, especially concerning those who are outside of my Lord Jesus Christ, as I far to often allow my speech to revert back to my 'old man' and I cry out to my Lord Jesus with these words as did King David my brother, "O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure!For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down. There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness." (Psalms 38:1-5) (NKJV). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:5-6, "And hence we should learn to make the due management of our tongues more our study, because, though they are little members, they are capable of doing a great deal of good or a great deal of hurt. Therefore, We are taught to dread an unruly tongue as one of the greatest and most pernicious evils. It is compared to a little fire placed among a great deal of combustible matter, which soon raises a flame and consumes all before it: Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, etc., James 3:5-6. There is such an abundance of sin in the tongue that it may be called a world of iniquity. How many defilements does it occasion! How many and dreadful flames does it kindle! So is the tongue among the members that it defileth the whole body. Observe hence, There is a great pollution and defilement in sins of the tongue. Defiling passions are kindled, vented, and cherished by this unruly member. And the whole body is often drawn into sin and guilt by the tongue. Therefore Solomon says, Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, Ecclesiastes 5:6. The snares into which men are sometimes led by the tongue are insufferable to themselves and destructive of others. It setteth on fire the course of nature. The affairs of mankind and of societies are often thrown into confusion, and all is on a flame, by the tongues of men. Some read it, all our generations are set on fire by the tongue. There is no age of the world, nor any condition of life, private or public, but will afford examples of this. And it is set on fire of hell. Observe hence, Hell has more to do in promoting of fire of the tongue than men are generally aware of. It is from some diabolical designs, that men's tongues are inflamed. The devil is expressly called a liar, a murderer, an accuser of the brethren; and, whenever men's tongues are employed in any of these ways, they are set on fire of hell. The Holy Ghost indeed once descended in cloven tongues as of fire, Acts 2. And, where the tongue is thus guided and wrought upon by a fire from heaven, there it kindleth good thoughts, holy affections, and ardent devotions. But when it is set on fire of hell, as in all undue heats it is, there it is mischievous, producing rage and hatred, and those things which serve the purposes of the devil. As therefore you would dread fires and flames, you should dread contentions, revilings, slanders, lies, and every thing that would kindle the fire of wrath in your own spirit or in the spirits of others."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 31

 Taming the Tongue 😝 Part 2

James 3:3-4 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 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. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James is continuing his thoughts on how any one of us brothers or sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ can walk and live in spiritual maturity by bridling or restraining our tongue in speaking words which are displeasing to our Lord Jesus Christ and dishonoring to other human beings (fellow believers and unbelievers) by giving an example of what we human beings do to 🐴 horses when we want them to be under the control of the person who will ride them and that being by places a tiny bit/bridle in their mouths to guide and control their stopping and starting and to cause, that is, to make the horse 🐴 act a particular way and to go where we want them and at the pace we want them to go forward and to stop and even to back them up when we have ridden them into a bad spot, here is what the Apostle James writes for us as our illustration or example, "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body." (James 3:3) (KJV). Just like the horse 🐴 is controlled (its whole body) by this little bit in his mouth 👄, so is man 👨 and woman 👩 controlled by our little tongue 😝. The idea 💡 James is trying to get sunk deeply into our inner man 👨 and inner woman 👩 is that we are responsible for the bridling of our tongues, because our Lord Jesus Christ will not allow us to continue to use language that displeases Him and offends our brothers and sisters in His Body. He will chastise us, as it is written, "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:7-11 (NKJV). Until we surrender our will to the Holy Spirit, then we will be partakers of the chastising Hand 🖐 of Abba that produces the peacable fruit of speech pleasing to Him and edifying to our brothers and sisters 'in Christ'. Note: Bengel says this, "The same applies to the pen, which is the substitute for the tongue among the absent." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:3, "There is a great deal of brutish fierceness and wantonness in us. This shows itself very much by the tongue: so that this must be bridled; according to Psalms 39:1, I will keep my mouth with a bridle (or, I will bridle my mouth) while the wicked is before me. The more quick and lively the tongue is, the more should we thus take care to govern it. Otherwise, as an unruly and ungovernable horse runs away with his rider, or throws him, so an unruly tongue will serve those in like manner who have no command over it. Whereas, let resolution and watchfulness, under the influence of the grace of God, bridle the tongue, and then all the motions and actions of the whole body will be easily guided and overruled."

The next illustration the Apostle James uses would be that of a large ship being controlled by a tiny helm or rudder, which is a steering mechanism for a vessel/ship; in those days in which the Apostle James lived it was an oar worked by a handle. Helm and rudder were thus one by which a vessel/ship is steered and guided in the direction the Captain of the Ship wants it to embark upon, as written with these words for us by the Apostle James, "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 3:4) (KJV). In this illustration, James is showing how not only are living creatures controlled by such a tiny object, so too can this apply to a non-living thing or better known as an inanimate object, which implies that if we can control even non-living things with small objects, then how great an effect does this small body part of ours (the tongue 😝) have for doing good or for doing evil. It has to be under the control of the God the Holy Spirit. Imagine a huge Ocean liner with know control mechanism on it as it roars down the Ocean with know way to stop it or slow it or steer it, then we would have a vessel that would only be headed to destroy the other things in its path, so are we when our speech is not governed by God the Holy Spirit, as these words written by the Psalmist should be the posture and practice of each one of us, for I have heard them and spoken them a million times and also ignored them as much only to my detriment, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalms 19:14) (NKJV). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of James 3:4, "This illustration is equally striking and obvious. A ship is a large object. It seems to be unmanageable by its vastness, and it is also impelled by driving storms. Yet it is easily managed by a small rudder; and he that has control of that, has control of the ship itself. So with the tongue. It is a small member as compared with the body; in its size not unlike the rudder as compared with the ship. Yet the proper control of the tongue in respect to its influence on the whole man, is not unlike the control of the rudder in its power over the ship. Which though they be so great - So great in themselves, and in comparison with the rudder. Even such bulky and unwieldy objects are controlled by a very small thing. And are driven of fierce winds - By winds that would seem to leave the ship beyond control. It is probable that by the 'fierce winds' here as impelling the ship, the Apostle meant to illustrate the power of the passions in impelling man. Even a man under impetuous passion would be restrained, if the tongue is properly controlled, as the ship driven by the winds is by the helm. Yet are they turned about with a very small helm - The ancient rudder or helm was made in the shape of an oar. This was very small when compared with the size of the vessel - about as small as the tongue is as compared with the body. Whithersoever the governor listeth - As the helmsman pleases. It is entirely under his control." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:4, "As the helm is a very small part of the ship, so is the tongue a very small part of the body: but the right governing of the helm or rudder will steer and turn the ship as the governor pleases; and a right management of the tongue is, in a great measure, the government of the whole man. There is a wonderful beauty in these comparisons, to show how things of small bulk may yet be of vast use. And hence we should learn to make the due management of our tongues more our study, because, though they are little members, they are capable of doing a great deal of good or a great deal of hurt."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 30

 Taming the Tongue 😝 Part 1

James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 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. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James now leaves his discourse on faith and works and dives right into the area of our relationship with God that will most affect our doings outwardly in our 🎪 tents, house 🏡, our bodies which is what we allow to proceed forth from our tongue 😝 which is simply a reflection of what's going on in our inner man 👨 or inner woman 👩, for as it is written for us and to us by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself when He said this, "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:43-45) (NKJV). With this as our backdrop, we now here these words spoken to us and for us by the Apostle James as he warnes many of we brethren of the huge responsibility that any of us has when we 🚶 walk into the duty of teaching the Word of God to others, for we must humble ourselves to receive and learn from God the Holy Spirit and submit ourselves to Him allowing Him to restrain our tongue 😝 which is perhaps the most unruly member of our body, that is, lacking in restraint or discipline and unwilling to submit to authority, so we hear these words from the Apostle James right up front, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." (James 3:1) (KJV). The English word 'masters' is translated by the Greek word didaskalos which means simply an instructor or teacher; in this case an instructor or teacher of the Word of God. It is God's Word which is sacred and due all respect and reverence, therefore, it is a very serious thing to our Lord Jesus Christ that those of us who are teaching His Word do not water it down or try to make it more pleasing to our sinful hearts and the sinful hearts of others, for those of us who step forth to teach the Word of God will be judged by our Lord Jesus Christ much more stricter than other brethren. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:1, "These words do not forbid doing what we can to direct and instruct others in the way of their duty or to reprove them in a Christian way for what is amiss; but we must not affect to speak and act as those who are continually assuming the chair, we must not prescribe to one another, so as to make our own sentiments a standard by which to try all others, because God gives various gifts to men, and expects from each according to that measure of light which He gives. 'Therefore be not many masters' (or teachers, as some read it); 'do not give yourselves the air of teachers, imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of learners; do not censure one another, as if all must be brought to your standard.' This is enforced by two reasons. 1. Those who thus set up for judges and censurers shall receive the greater condemnation. Our judging others will but make our own judgment the more strict and severe, Matthew 7:1-2. Those who are curious to spy out the faults of others, and arrogant in passing censures upon them, may expect that God will be as extreme in marking what they say and do amiss."

The Apostle James now goes on to declare the seriousness in which we must be on guard of the words we allow to come forth from our tongue 😝, even when we are angry 😡 and probably more so then because the words that come forth during those times are always meant to hurt the person or people on the other end of receiving them (even if it is someone you love 😍), so we read these words from James now, "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." (James 3:2) (KJV). The English word 'offend' is translated by the Greek word ptaiō meaning to trip, that is, (figuratively) to err, sin, fail - fall, stumble. The little English phrase 'is a perfect' is translated by the Greek word teleios meaning complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, mature. The little English phrase 'to bridle' is translated by the Greek word chalinagōgeō meaning figuratively to curb, that is, the act of restraining power, action or limiting excess, to lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits. The Apostle here declares the reality that we all fail, err, stumble and sin in many things (Ecclesiastes 7:20 & Proverbs 20:9), but the tongue 😝 is perhaps the biggest culprit of all and the Christian brother or sister who is able to curb the tongue 😝 in its sinful rampages is able also to bring the whole body into submission to the will of God. Note: "No brother or sister 'in Christ' can do this in their own strength 💪, but by only yielding ourselves fully to the control of God the Holy Spirit, as the Apostle Paul wrote with these words to the Church @ Ephesus, 'And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,' (Ephesians 5:18) (NKJV), for when someone is drunk the alcohol takes over them and controls them, likewise when we brothers and sisters 'in Christ' are filled with the Holy Spirit, then He is in control and our words and actions will be according to His will which will be pleasing to God the Father and to all of humanity as well." Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:2, "Were we to think more of our own mistakes and offenses, we should be less apt to judge other people. While we are severe against what we count offensive in others, we do not consider how much there is in us which is justly offensive to them. Self-justifiers are commonly self-deceivers. We are all guilty before God; and those who vaunt it over the frailties and infirmities of others little think how many things they offend in themselves. Nay, perhaps their magisterial deportment, and censorious tongues, may prove worse than any faults they condemn in others. Let us learn to be severe in judging ourselves, but charitable in our judgments of other people. We are taught to govern our tongue so as to prove ourselves perfect and upright men, and such as have an entire government over ourselves: If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. It is here implied that he whose conscience is affected by tongue-sins, and who takes care to avoid them, is an upright man, and has an undoubted sign of true grace. But, on the other hand, if a man seemeth to be religious (as was declared in the first chapter) and bridleth not his tongue, whatever profession he makes, that man's religion is vain. Further, he that offends not in word will not only prove himself a sincere Christian, but a very much advanced and improved Christian. For the wisdom and grace which enable him to rule his tongue will enable him also to rule all his actions."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 29

 
Faith without Works is Dead Faith Part 5

James 2:25-26 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. KJV Note: NKJV= New King James Version

Just as the Patriarch or the founder of the Jewish Nation Abraham manifested his belief or faith in God by his work of faith in trusting the Lord so much that he was willing to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice, so now does the Apostle James now place a woman 👩, even a Gentile woman who was a prostitute on the same level of faith and trust in the Lord. This woman 👩 Rahab heard about the God of the Hebrew people and she wanted to know Him and when she was in the presence of men who came to her country from the Hebrew Nation she acted on her desire to know and trust God receiving these men who came from the Hebrew Nation into her home and hid them there as they spied out her country in preparation for war against her Nation Jericho, as it is written for us here with these words by the Apostle James, "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?" (James 2:25) (KJV). The men of Jericho found out that these men were in their city and that they had gone into Rahab's house to lodge (perhaps Rahab was known in that city as not only a prostitute, but was one who would offer room and board to stranger's from other places for a fee and this is why they perceived that the Israelites were at her home), however, Rahab along with the entire city had heard of the God of Israel and of the mighty works which He had done on behalf of His people Israel, as it is written here, "So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, 'Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.' Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, 'Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.' (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: 'I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.'" (Joshua 2:3-10) (NKJV).

Why did she hide the men and defy the King of her Nation? Verse's 8-10 declares why she did so, because she knew/believed that her Nation Jericho was doomed for destruction at and by the Hand of God whether these men were captured and killed or not and that by giving these men from Israel protection, she was showing her faith in the God of Israel. Rahab next testifies to these men of who she believes the God of Israel is and that she wants to be saved by Him from destruction and her whole household, as it is written here, "And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 'Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.' So the men answered her, 'Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.' Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. And she said to them, 'Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.' So the men said to her: 'We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household to your own home. So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.' Then she said, 'According to your words, so be it.' And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. And they said to Joshua, 'Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.'" (Joshua 2:11-24) (NKJV). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say of James 2:25, "It is clear from the nature of Rahab's act, that it is not quoted to prove justification by works as such. She believed assuredly what her other countrymen disbelieved, and this in the face of every improbability that an unwarlike few would conquer well-armed numbers. In this belief she hid the spies at the risk of her life. Hence Hebrews 11:31 names this as an example of faith, rather than of obedience. 'By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not.' If an instance of obedience were wanting. Paul and James would hardly have quoted a woman of previously bad character, rather than the many moral and pious patriarchs. But as an example of free grace justifying men through an operative, as opposed to a mere verbal faith, none could be more suitable than a saved 'harlot.' As Abraham was an instance of an illustrious man and the father of the Jews, so Rahab is quoted as a woman, and one of abandoned character, and a Gentile, showing that justifying faith has been manifested in those of every class. The nature of the works alleged is such as to prove that James uses them only as evidences of faith, as contrasted with a mere verbal profession: not works of charity and piety, but works the value of which consisted solely in their being proofs of faith: they were faith expressed in act, synonymous with faith itself."

To conclude the whole matter of someone saying they have faith in God without subsequent works or actions that show that they believe God and His Word is just like a dead body being alive walking around and talking to other people (this is impossible no matter how many zombie 🧟‍♂️ movies are made), as it is written for us with these words by the Apostle James, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26) (KJV). In other words, James is saying do not go about saying you believe in God and you trust God, yet you have no desire to believe and obey what His Word declares on every subject matter, instead you doubt that it is His Words and on some matters you want His Words to be changed or to be cut out of the Bible or simply ignored, for the demons believe this way and even have tremendous fear of God because they know what He is going to do to them for all eternity in the Lake of Fire 🔥 (Revelation 20:10). So, if your so-called faith has not changed your mind (repentance) and changed your way of seeing your own sin as evil and wicked, that is, what God declares to be sin against Him alone, then your faith is equal to that of demons which is a dead faith that cannot save any soul, just like a body without the spirit/soul in it is dead and only a shell good for nothing. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of James 2:26, "There can be no more a genuine faith without good works, than there can be a living human body without a soul. We shall never find a series of disinterested godly living without true faith. And we shall never find true faith without such a life. We may see works of apparent benevolence without faith; their principle is ostentation; and, as long as they can have the reward (human applause) which they seek, they may be continued. And yet the experience of all mankind shows how short-lived such works are; they want both principle and spring; they endure for a time, but soon wither away. Where true faith is, there is God; His Spirit gives life, and His love affords motives to righteous actions. The use of any Divine principle leads to its increase. The more a man exercises faith in Christ, the more he is enabled to believe; the more he believes, the more he receives; and the more he receives, the more able he is to work for God. Obedience is his delight, because love to God and man is the element in which his soul lives. Reader, thou professest to believe; show thy faith, both to God and man, by a life conformed to the royal law, which ever gives liberty and confers dignity. 'Some persons, known to St. James, must have taught that men are justified by merely believing in the One True God; or he would not have taken such pains to confute it. Crediting the unity of the Godhead, and the doctrine of a future state, was that faith through which both the Jews in St. James’ time and the Mohammedans of the present day expect justification. St. James, in denying this faith to be of avail, if unaccompanied with good works, has said nothing more than what St. Paul has said, in other words, Romans 2, where he combats the same Jewish error, and asserts that not the hearers but the doers of the law will be justified, and that a knowledge of God’s will, without the performance of it, serves only to increase our condemnation.' - Michaelis." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 2:26, "These words are read differently; some reading them, As the body without the breath is dead, so is faith without works: and then they show that works are the companions of faith, as breathing is of life. Others read them, As the body without the soul is dead, so faith without works is dead also: and then they show that as the body has no action, nor beauty, but becomes a loathsome carcass, when the soul is gone, so a bare profession without works is useless, yea, loathsome and offensive. Let us then take head of running into extremes in this case. For, (1.) The best works, without faith, are dead; they want their root and principle. It is by faith that any thing we do is really good, as done with an eye to God, in obedience to Him, and so as to aim principally at His acceptance. (2.) The most plausible profession of faith, without works, is dead: as the root is dead when it produces nothing green, nothing of fruit. Faith is the root, good works are the fruits, and we must see to it that we have both. We must not think that either, without the other, will justify and save us. This is the grace of God wherein we stand, and we should stand to it."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 28

 Faith without Works is Dead Faith Part 4

James 2:23-24 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. KJV

What was documented of Abraham in the Holy Scriptures (first by Moses in the book of Genesis) was the satisfying and complete faith of this man in God/The Lord and how his faith was proven over time by his obedience to the Word of the Lord which came to him, as it is written and documented for us here with these words from the Apostle James, "And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:23-24) (KJV). The English word 'Scripture' is translated by the Greek word graphē which means a document, that is, Holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it): - Scripture. The little English phrase 'was fulfilled' is translated by the Greek word plēroō meaning to make complete, accomplish, satisfy, or finish. The little English phrase 'it was imputed' is translated by the Greek word logizomai which means to take an inventory, that is, estimate (literally or figuratively): - conclude, account or reckon. The English word 'righteousness' is translated by the Greek word dikaiosunē meaning equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: - righteousness. We see in the breaking down of all these words and phrases that Abraham's faith was so documented by God the Father in the very beginning of His Holy Writ (the Bible) in order to show the faith of this man to all of the unbelieving world of what faith in Him looks like at the human level, for Abraham simply believed God, therefore, he was accounted or concluded or reckoned by God to be righteous or justified before Him and called God's Friend. When the Word of the Lord came to Abraham concerning how numerous his descendants would be on the earth 🌎 he believed God, as it is written and documented for us by Moses with these words, "After these things the Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the Word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:1-6) (KJV). We see then that Abraham did not hesitate to continue to believe God/The Lord when his faith was tested by the command to sacrifice his son Isaac, because Abraham trusted that the Word of the Lord that came to him earlier was true and that he simply had to believe God to either keep the knife from killing Isaac or to resurrect Isaac from the dead, for this is how much Abraham trusted in the Lord's Word spoken to him above in Genesis 15:1-6. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say of this, "Abraham's offering of Isaac was not a mere act of obedience, but an act of faith. Isaac was the subject of the promises of God, that in him Abraham's seed should be called. The same God calls on Abraham to slay the subject of His own promise, when as yet there was no seed in whom those predictions could be realized. Hence James' saying that Abraham was justified by such a work, is equivalent to saying, as Paul does, that he was justified by faith itself; for it was in fact faith expressed in action, as in other cases saving faith is expressed in words. So Paul states as the mean of salvation faith expressed. The 'Scripture' would not be 'fulfilled,' as James says it was, but contradicted by any interpretation which makes man's works justify him before God: for that Scripture makes no mention of works at all, but says that Abraham's belief was counted to him for righteousness. God, in the first instance, 'justifies the ungodly' through faith; subsequently the believer is justified before the world as righteous through faith manifested in words and works."

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 2:23-24, "And by this means you come to the true sense of that scripture which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, James 2:23. And thus he became the friend of God. Faith, producing such works, endeared him to the divine Being, and advanced him to very peculiar favours and intimacies with God. It is a great honour done to Abraham that he is called and counted the friend of God. You see then (James 2:24) how that by works a man is justified (comes into such a state of favour and friendship with God), and not by faith only; not by a bare opinion, or profession, or believing without obeying, but by having such a faith as is productive of good works. Now besides the explication of this passage and example, as thus illustrating and supporting the argument James is upon, many other useful lessons may be learned by us from what is here said concerning Abraham. [1.] Those who would have Abraham's blessings must be careful to copy after his faith: to boast of being Abraham's seed will not avail any, if they do not believe as he did. [2.] Those works which evidence true faith must to works of self-denial, and such as God himself commands (as Abraham's offering up his son, his only son, was), and not such works as are pleasing to flesh and blood and may serve our interest, or are the mere fruits of our own imagination and devising. [3.] What we piously purpose and sincerely resolve to do for God is accepted as if actually performed. Thus Abraham is regarded as offering up his son, though he did not actually proceed to make a sacrifice of him. It was a done thing in the mind, and spirit, and resolution of Abraham, and God accepts it as if fully performed and accomplished. [4.] The actings of faith make it grow perfect, as the truth of faith makes it act. [5.] Such an acting faith will make others, as well as Abraham, friends of God. Thus Christ says to his disciples, I have called you friends, John 15:15. All transactions between God and the truly believing soul are easy, pleasant, and delightful. There is one will and one heart, and there is a mutual complacency. God rejoiceth over those who truly believe, to do them good; and they delight themselves in Him." Here also is what F.B. Meyer had to say of Abraham's faith, "The Apostle is speaking here of a faith that does not result in a changed life. It is the faith which believes about Jesus Christ, as distinguished from that which believes in Him. We may believe about Him as we do about Luther or Washington, but such faith will not avail, either here or hereafter. It can no more affect our condition than the pious wish that a shivering beggar may be warmed, and fed will make him either one or the other. The presence or absence of results in life and conduct is the real test of faith, as the green shoot of a living seed. James calls these results works. We are justified by works, because they prove our faith to be the real faith. Real faith binds the soul to the living Christ, produces deep penitence and humility, and brings about an absolutely new sort of behavior-as when Abraham was willing to offer Isaac, and Rahab received and assisted the spies. To reckon on God is to be a friend of God."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…