Examine yourselves Archives - Journal Thy Journey

Wait a Minute, What Did YOU Just Say? PT. 3

Journal Thy Journey — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 03:35:30 +0000

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)

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:

Reduced from a state of native wildness, especially so as to be tractable and useful to humans: domesticated tame animals

Made docile and submissive: subdued

Definition of Train:

Teach (a person or animal) a particular skill or type of behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time.

To develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction: to train an unruly boy.

To make proficient by instruction and practice, as in some art, profession, or work: to train soldiers.

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.

Wait a minute, What did you just say? PT. 2

Journal Thy Journey — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 04:32:56 +0000

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)

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)

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?

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)

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.