As we navigate through life, we often face trials, challenges, and setbacks that we as believers overcome because of our relationship with YAHWEH (1 John 5:4). We were made overcomers through the love and grace of YAHWEH. However, being victorious over this world comes with the unexpected problem of acquiring enemies (haters). Formidable enemies, including the Devil Satan, observe our successes and actions with a sense of unease and trepidation, knowing full well the extent of our power in Yahshua. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep in mind that these enemies seek to hinder or impede our progress. At the same time, others go to great lengths to derail us by inflicting as much damage as possible, whether spiritually, psychologically, or physically. 

Why Your Enemies Attack

Our enemies attack us out of deep-seated fear and hatred of our strength, resilience, and connection to YAHWEH. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that “our conflict is not with flesh and blood, but with principalities, and with those in authority, and with the possessors of this dark world, and with the evil spirits that are beneath heaven.” Therefore, we must recognize that our human (flesh and blood) enemies are influenced and sometimes controlled by Satan, the possessor of this dark world, prompting them to launch attacks against us.

King Adoni-Zedek Watches Yahshar’el Victories and Plots

1. And it happened, when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and had destroyed it (as he had done to Jericho and to its king, so he had done to Ai and to her king) and that the ones living in Gibeon had made peace with Yahshar’el, and were in their midst,

2. they were greatly afraid because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. 

3. And Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, and to Piram king of Jarmuth, and to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, 

4. Come up to me and help me. And we shall strike Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua, and with the sons of Yahshar’el. 

5. And the five kings of the Amorites assembled, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, they and all their camps. And they camped against Gibeon, and fought against it.

Joshua 10:1-5 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Yahshar’el had successfully defeated two powerful nations, Jericho and Ai, one after another, and enslaved a third nation, Gibeon. As news of these triumphant victories quickly spread, King Adoni-Zedek, an enemy of Yahshar’el, became filled with fear and apprehension. However, instead of retreating or surrendering in peace like Gibeon, the king schemed and plotted to bring Yahshar’el down, much like Satan and other adversaries do. Despite his apparent fear, King Adoni-Zedek refused to back down in the face of his powerful foe, showing his unwavering determination as an enemy.

While it may seem logical to assume that instilling fear in one’s enemies will cause them to disperse and retreat, this is not always the case. In reality, those who oppose you (Satan and Enemies) tend to become more cunning and strategic when faced with fear. Rather than accepting defeat, they began plotting and scheming their next moves and conspiring against you, intending to launch their most aggressive attacks. Their ultimate goal may be to bring you down or even eliminate you completely.

What Are Your Enemies Fearful Of:

(Satan)

• Fearful that you are done with sin – James 4:7
• Fearful that you have fully committed to YAHWEH
• Fearful that you won’t turn back to him
• Fearful that you will read your Bible and learn the whole truth
• Fearful of your constant and consistent prayers
• Fearful that you will follow Yahshua no matter what till the end – Matthew 24:13

(People)

• Fearful that you are or will be better than them
• Fearful that you will get the available promotion
• Fearful and angry that you are improving and they aren’t
• Fearful that you will realize they are not your friend but a pretender (enemy)
• Fearful of the favor of YAHWEH upon your life

King Adoni-Zedek Plot Against Yahshar’el

King Adoni-Zedek devised a cunning scheme to assemble and mobilize the neighboring kingdoms and wage war against Yahshar’el. His plan succeeded as four other kings (listed in vs.5) were persuaded to join him in his mission. The coalition of kings decided to focus their aggression on Gibeon, Yahshar’el’s newly acquired territory where their temple workers lived, instead of attacking Yahshar’el directly.

This strategic move of launching indirect attacks is a tactic that Satan and your enemies often use to obstruct your progress. They attack from a distance or roundabout way, employing sly, deceitful, and covert methods to hinder your advancement, often without your knowledge. All the while secretly biding their time until their schemes appear to succeed, then the enemy strikes with full force and unleashes direct attacks.

Examples of These Attacks From Satan and Your Enemies:

(Satan)

• Spirit of discouragement
• Spirit of procrastination
• Spirit of laziness
• Spirit of depression
• Spirit of loneliness

(People)

• Talking behind your back – (gossiping)
• Smile in your face while stabbing you in the back – (Two-Faced)
• Always talking negatively about you to others – (Defamation)
• Blocking your success by persuading others against you – (Defamation)
• Setting you up for failure – (Instigate)
• Intentional microaggression

There is good news in all of this. (Romans 8:31) “WHAT THEN SHALL WE SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF YAHWEH BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?” 

Conclusion

Satan and your enemies fail to realize that your success was never of your own doing. It was because you were dependent on YAHWEH. Your future success is the same. Stay dependent on YAHWEH and watch Satan and all your enemies scatter and fail.

Read the entire chapter on your own but look at what happens next:

8. And YAHWEH said to Yahoshua, Do not be afraid of them, for I have given them into your hand. Not a man of them shall stand before you.

10 and YAHWEH troubled them before Yahshar’el, and struck them with a great blow at Gibeon, and He pursued by the way of the ascent of Bethhoron, and struck them to Azekah, and to Makkedah. 

11 And it happened, as they fled from the face of Yahshar’el, they were in the descent of Bethhoron, even YAHWEH cast great hail stones on them out of the heavens, to Azekah; and they died. The many who died by the hail stones were more than the sons of Yahshar’el had killed by the sword.

16 And these five kings fled, and were hidden in a cave at Makkedah.

17 And it was told to Yahoshua, saying, the five kings have been found hidden in a cave at Makkedah.

26 And afterward Yahoshua struck them, and executed them, and hung them on five trees. And they were hanging on the trees until the evening.

Joshua:10:8,10-11,16-17,26 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

By David Edwards

The post Your Enemies Will Plot… appeared first on Journal Thy Journey.

9. By this we bless YAHWEH, even the Father; and by this we curse men having come into being according to the image of Elohim.

10. Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not fitting for these things to be so. 

11. Does the fountain out of the same hole send forth the sweet and the bitter?

12. My brothers, a fig tree is not able to produce olives, or a vine, figs. So neither can a fountain produce both salt and sweet water.

James 3:9-12 (HRB)

Throughout this “Wait a minute, What did you just say?” series, we have delved deeply into the immense power of the untamable death-dealing tongue. We have come to understand that while our words can be a source of comfort and truth, they can also be dangerously destructive. Therefore, we must acknowledge the great responsibility that comes with the words that proceed out of our mouths and take them seriously. 

As we conclude this series, today’s Food For Thought serves to emphasize the importance of surrendering to the Most High, YAHWEH, to gain mastery over this small yet mighty beast. By seeking guidance and wisdom from the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), He can work on our heart, the source of our words, so that we can use our words to uplift and inspire rather than harm, divide, and destroy.

Out of the Same Mouth

James 3:11-12 presents a thought-provoking question and answer. “Does the fountain out of the same hole send forth the sweet and the bitter?” He answers, “My brothers, a fig tree is not able to produce olives, or a vine, figs. So neither can a fountain produce both salt and sweet water.” Our tongue can be pleasant, cordial, and friendly, yet deceitful, twisted, and misleading due to its regrettable ability to speak both blessings and curses. We can speak blessings and speak of our faith and somehow end up cursing, gossiping, lying, and slandering all within the same conversation. Ya’aqov’s points out this very fact in James 3:9 and should serve as a reminder that contradictory words, whether they are blessings or curses, originate from the same source. However, James 3:10 makes it clear that this should not be the case. It is impossible for the same source to produce both sweet and bitter or blessings and curses. 

Let not any evil word go out from your mouth, but words that are good and useful for edification that it may impart a blessing to those who hear them. 

Ephesians 4:29 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Check the Source

We must check the source by which the fountain water flows, in this case, the heart from which our words flow (Matthew 12:34). If you are constantly guilty of tearing down or being harmful with your words, your source is contaminated. If that same tongue blesses, it’s a contradiction, and the source is still contaminated. The root of this problem lies within our hearts, and only by purifying our hearts can we prevent our tongue from causing harm. Hence, we must take responsibility for our tongue by surrendering the source, our heart, to YAHWEH and stop the damaging impact it’s causing.

How do we Surrender our Tongues Source? 

If a well becomes contaminated by harmful chemicals, disease-causing agents, or even the remains of a deceased animal. It is imperative to take prompt and decisive action to ensure the well is thoroughly cleaned and restored to its original state. The first step involves identifying and eliminating the source of the contamination, followed by removing all contaminated water from the well. Once this has been done, it is important to exercise patience as the well slowly replenishes itself naturally, eventually filling up to its normal water level. By following these steps, the water from the well will be safe and free from any harmful contaminants, ensuring the health and well-being of those who utilize it.

Our hearts can be cleaned just like the contaminated well. 

1. Surrender your life to YAHWEH. Invite YAHWEH in your heart and become born anew. Without this first step, it will be impossible to produce fruit that are acceptable to Him. Just like the fig tree can not produce olives, you will not be able to produce good fruit. Changing your name, appearance, joining groups, moving to a different community, or even getting a different job won’t change who you are if you haven’t been born again.

One writer put it this way in reference to changing the external vs. the internal:

• You can label a fig tree “Olive Tree,” and that will not make it an olive tree.
• You can trim a fig tree to look like an olive tree, and that will not make it an olive tree.
• You can treat a fig tree like an olive tree, and that will not make it an olive tree.
• You can surround a fig tree with many olive trees, and that will not make it an olive tree.
• You can transplant that fig tree to the Mount of Olives, and that will not make it an olive tree.

2. Surrender your heart and mind to YAHWEH daily by reading His Holy Scriptures.

3. Surrender and humble yourself daily in prayer.

4. Surrender your right to complain, murmur, and whine.

5. Surrender your pride and practice speaking words that encourage, inspire, comfort, enlighten, and motivate.

Conclusion

Our death-dealing tongue is deceitful, but it can only deal its cards straight from the source, the heart. Therefore, we must deal with the source and clean it up.

By: David Edwards

The post Wait a Minute, What Did You Just Say? PT. 4 (Final) appeared first on Journal Thy Journey.

7. For every species of beasts, both indeed of birds, of creeping things, and of sea animals, is tamed, and has been tamed by the will of man;

8. But no one of men is able to tame the tongue; it is an unrestrainable evil, full of death-dealing poison.

James 3:7-8 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Definition of Tame:

1. Reduced from a state of native wildness, especially so as to be tractable and useful to humans: domesticated tame animals
2. Made docile and submissive: subdued

Definition of Train:

1. Teach (a person or animal) a particular skill or type of behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time.
2. To develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction: to train an unruly boy.
3. To make proficient by instruction and practice, as in some art, profession, or work: to train soldiers.
4. To give the discipline and instruction, drill, practice, etc., designed to impart proficiency or efficiency.

Taming & Training

As human beings, we possess an incredible ability to train and tame animals for various purposes, including hunting, protection, entertainment, etc. Our remarkable capacity to tame and train does not stop with animals, as we can train ourselves and other humans to accomplish impressive feats like completing iron-races, mastering a musical instrument, or any accomplishment found in a Guinness World Record book. However, it’s essential to recognize that we can also unconsciously train ourselves to develop detrimental habits that can become ingrained or give rise to unhealthy behavior. This highlights the importance of being mindful of our surrounding influences and evaluating our actions to determine their impact.

The Impossible

The human mind and body are incredible creations crafted by the hands of YAWHEH with unthinkable potential. Certain individuals have tapped into this potential, performing unimaginable things without training or preparation. In most cases reported, dire circumstances, such as extreme stress, desperation, or pressure, played a role in displaying extraordinary abilities that appear beyond human capability. The astounding stories of Angela Cavallo and William Jeracki listed below serve as prime examples of this potential, showcasing a fight-or-flight response and a remarkable capacity for self-sacrifice and self-preservation in times of crisis.

• Angela Cavallo’s incredible feat of strength was on full display when she saw her son’s life hanging in the balance. This middle-aged mom and grandmother summoned tremendous amounts of hysterical strength and lifted a 3,295 lbs 1964 Chevy Impala off of her son. This courageous act not only showcased an extraordinary, unhuman-like strength but also led to her son’s rescue, saving his life.
• William Jeracki, a 38-year-old physician assistant, went fishing to St. Mary’s Glacier in the mountains outside Denver. During the fishing trip, a boulder fell on him, breaking his leg and trapping him alone in the mountains. Jeracki says he tried for a long time to free himself, but it was ultimately useless, and a decision had to be made. Out of desperation, Jeracki decided to cut off his leg in self-preservation. He made a makeshift tourniquet to slow down his blood flow, and he amputated his left leg from the knee down using a pocket knife. Then, amazingly, he embarked on a courageous journey, crawling half a mile to reach his truck and then driving an additional half mile seeking assistance.

How Amazing are Humans?

As we reflect upon the incredible achievements of humanity, from the taming of wild beasts to completing grueling Iron-races and even a regular person picking up vehicles, it can be tempting to believe that we possess the capacity to accomplish anything we set our minds to. However, this belief could not be further from the truth. It’s a false belief in self and promotes viewing oneself as a god, which is idolatry. There’s a tiny component that exists within our anatomy that remains beyond our complete control and mastery – the tongue. Even the most self-disciplined individuals cannot entirely rein in this small muscle.

James 3:8 describes the tongue as an “unrestrainable evil, full of death-dealing poison.” It’s like a hazardous weapon or an uncontrollable wild venomous animal. Fortunately, there is an antidote or solution that can tame and remove the death dealer’s natural inclination toward wildness. The remedy can restrain and make the tongue obedient, submissive, and docile yet wise and advantageous. The cure is freely available to all, but it requires us to surrender everything we have (Matthew 16:24-26) in order to receive it. By submitting to YAHWEH, repenting, and accepting the salvation offered by Yahshua, we can receive the power of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), which can and will control the tongue. However, submitting our will is the key.

From last week’s Food For Thought!

If you notice that your tongue is constantly telling lies, cursing, spreading gossip, idly chattering, exaggerating everything, and launching harsh attacks of slander and defamation, you need a heart check. You need to seriously contemplate where YAHWEH and Yahshua fit into your life because your heart has confirmed to you by your constant word choice that it is indeed contaminated. We are not perfect, but as believers, we are required to examine ourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Or do you not yourselves realize that Yahshua Messiah is in you? If this is not true than you are rejected.“

By David Edwards

The post Wait a Minute, What Did YOU Just Say? PT. 3 appeared first on Journal Thy Journey.

Now the tongue is a fire, and the world of sin is like a forest. And this very tongue, while it is among our members, can defile our entire body; and rolls down like a wheel and set on fire the course of our entire life; and in the end it is consumed by fire.

James 3:6 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Power of the Tongue

As believers, we often overlook the immense power our tongues hold. We forget it possesses the ability to speak both blessings and curses and life and death. It’s essential to be mindful of the tremendous impact our words have on ourselves and others, especially when considering our most common sins are related to words. Whether our tongue is telling lies, cursing, spreading gossip, engaging in idle chatter, exaggerating, or launching harsh attacks of slander and defamation, our words can cause immense harm. On the other hand, if we choose to use them wisely, our words can be a gift that brings tremendous good to those around us. Therefore, as believers, let’s consciously use our words purposefully for positivity, correction, and kindness rather than for negativity and harm.

• Lying – A lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the purpose of deceiving or misleading someone. (Exodus 20:16, Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 6:12-13, Proverbs 6:16-19)  
• Cursing – A socially offensive use of language. Blasphemous or obscene language. (Exodus 20:7, Ephesians 4:29, 1 Peter 3:10)
• Gossiping – Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true. (Exodus 23:1-2, Proverbs 11:13, Proverbs 26:20-22, 1 Timothy 5:13)
• Engaging in Idle Chatter – Foolish and irrelevant talk. Quick and continuous talking about things which are not important. (Matthew 12:36-37, 2 Timothy 2:16)
• Exaggerating – Representing (something) as being larger, better, or worse than it really is. Deceiving and Lying. (Exodus 20:16, Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 6:12-13, Proverbs 6:16-19)
• Defamation by Slander – The action of damaging the good reputation of someone. (Psalm 101:5, Romans 1:28-31)

Ya’aqov (aka James, the brother of Yahshua) in James 3:6 makes a comparison between the (tongue and fire) and (sin and a forest). It’s a powerful metaphor that highlights the destructive potential of our words. While reading this verse, it reminded me of the Smokey the Bear commercials as a child. Smokey’s slogan was “Only YOU can prevent wildfires!” This slogan rings true in this comparison. As followers of Yahshua, we are responsible for exercising restraint and control over our tongues, lest we ignite a blaze that consumes everything in its path. We must be vigilant in preventing sin from consuming our entire lives and spreading like wildfire.

Any of the sins of the mouth listed above can become a consuming wildfire of sin. For example, think of the implications of lying about your marital status or someone lying to you about theirs. This lie carries a significant risk of stirring up feelings of sensuality, encouraging sexual misconduct, and leading to adultery. Another example would be spreading gossip or slandering someone. These words could lead to long-term enmity, strife, fits of anger, rivalries, discord, and division, which are some of the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-21)

O YAHWEH, set a guard to my mouth; keep watch on the door of my lips. 

Psalms 141:3 (WOY)

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Proverbs 12:22 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Your Mouth is connected to your Heart!

Consciously using our words can prove to be a demanding and challenging task depending on our hearts and what’s in them. The teachings found in Matthew 12:33-37 enlighten us on the fact that the true nature of an individual can be deciphered by observing their actions, which are ultimately reflected in the fruits they bear. I encourage you to read Matthew 12:33-37 for contextual reference in this discussion. However, today, we are specifically focusing on the words of man. Yahshua explains in Matthew 12:34 that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” illustrating that our true feelings and thoughts will eventually come out through speech, revealing a great deal about our character and true intentions. It’s like a volcano waiting to erupt and pour out what’s been collecting and boiling inside.

Yahshua clarifies His teachings by asking a rhetorical question in Matthew 12:34: “How can you, being evil, speak good things?” He then answers in the next verse, Matthew 12:35, He answers, “The good man out of the good treasure of the heart puts forth good things. And the evil man out of the evil treasure puts forth evil things.“

The Q&A from Yahshua presents the undeniable truth that an evil person is polluted inside, and their heart is corrupt, which prevents good speech. On the other hand, a good man is clean inside, and his heart is pure, which his tongue validates through clean speech. If your heart is puffed up with the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21), filth will flow out. In contrast, good treasure will flow out if your heart is full of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Unfortunately, many of us tend to prioritize the things of this world over YAHWEH, leaving no space for Him in our hearts. Yahshua highlights the contaminants found in a heart NOT surrendered to YAHWEH in Mark 7:21-23. These contaminants include evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, greedy desires, iniquities, deceit, lustful desires, a wicked eye, blasphemy, pride, and recklessness. If these are the contents of our hearts, is it any wonder the foolishness that will proceed out of the mouth? If we do not surrender our hearts to Father, such impurities will corrupt our entire being and consume our existence like a wildfire that ravages a forest.

Is Your Heart Contaminated?

If you notice that your tongue is constantly telling lies, cursing, spreading gossip, idly chattering, exaggerating everything, and launching harsh attacks of slander and defamation, you need a heart check. You need to seriously contemplate where YAHWEH and Yahshua fit into your life because your heart has confirmed to you by your constant word choice that it is indeed contaminated. We are not perfect, but as believers, we are required to examine ourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Or do you not yourselves realize that Yahshua Messiah is in you? If this is not true than you are rejected.“

2. Like a sharp razor your tongue devises destruction, working deceit.

3 You love evil more than good, lying more than to speak righteousness. Selah.

Psalms 52:2-3 (HRB)

Death and life are in the hand of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Side note:

Have you ever experienced the feeling of remorse after uttering hurtful words to someone you love? It’s never easy to deal with the aftermath of a heated argument, especially when you’ve said things you wish you could take back. The weight of guilt and shame can be overwhelming. Still, it’s important to remember that words have the power to both heal and harm relationships. If you find yourself in a situation where you regret what you’ve said, it’s crucial to take steps towards making amends and repairing the damage caused. It’s never too late to apologize and work towards a healthier, happier relationship.

By David Edwards

The post Wait a minute, What did you just say? PT. 2 appeared first on Journal Thy Journey.

3. Behold, we put bits in the mouths of the horses, for them to obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 

4. Behold, the ships also, being so great, and being driven by violent winds, they are directed by a very small rudder, wherever the one steering wishes. 

5. So also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how a little fire sets ablaze large forests!

James 3:3-5 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Definition of Bit:

1. A piece of metal or synthetic material that fits in a horse’s mouth, enabling the rider to prompt or control a horse by placing pressure in and around the mouth.

Definition of Rudder:

1. A primary control surface used to steer a ship, boat, submarine, hovercraft, aircraft, or other vehicle that moves through a fluid medium (generally air or water).

According to the teachings of Ya’aqov (aka James, the brother of Yahshua), the tongue holds tremendous importance in our daily lives. In fact, he compares it to a tiny bit that controls even the most stubborn of horses, a small rudder that steers the mightiest of ships, and a little fire that sets an entire forest ablaze. Our tongue is one of the smallest parts of our body, yet it holds the power to paint a picture of who you are to others. Our use of language and the words we choose to speak reveals our heart (Matthew 12:34), level of self-discipline (James 1:19), and the kind of person we are (Proverbs 10:31).

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Upon closer examination, you can see the insightful observation Ya’aqov implies regarding the tongue and its role and impacts on life with his comparison. Seemingly insignificant devices, such as a horse’s bit or a ship’s rudder, can manipulate and direct what it’s attached to. Despite their small size, these devices possess the remarkable ability to exert control over objects that are much larger than themselves, thus highlighting their profound impact and influence. In comparing the tongue to these tiny things that control the whole of what they are connected to, we are forced to think about the significant power, impact, and influence the tongue has in our lives. Its power to communicate our thoughts and feelings, express our desires and opinions, or even convey our emotions is undeniable. 

Therefore, we must reflect on the forces that guide our speech and ensure that our words align with our faith in YAHWEH and His precepts. Unfortunately, some people allow their tongues to run wild, recklessly speaking whatever comes to mind without regard for the consequences. Others often speak impulsively, allowing their emotions, sinful nature, or negative impulses to dictate their words, which can cause hurt and harm to those around them. In our interactions with others, it is crucial to be mindful of the impact our words have on them. It is necessary to strive to speak with intention, kindness, and compassion towards others displaying the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23) and a YAHWEH-influenced life.

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.

Proverb 31:26 (HNV)

Let not any evil word go out from your mouth, but words that are good and useful for edification that it may impart a blessing to those who hear them.

Ephesians 4:29 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

How do we Control Our Tongue?

We must seek the Spirit of YAHWEH and allow the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to be our bit and rudder, guiding and regulating our tongue toward righteousness. With this approach, we can avoid or at least minimize causing harm and instead use our words to bring about positive change and do good in the world. Indeed, the power of our words is immeasurable, and the way we choose to use them can make all the difference in our relationships, careers, and even our own sense of well-being.

Conclusion

Do not let your tongue set your life or the lives of those around you ablaze! Surrender your will to YAHWEH and let Him guide you.

By David Edwards

The post Wait a minute, What did you just say? PT. 1 appeared first on Journal Thy Journey.