Captured & Slow

Captured & Slow

---

"For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh."

James 3:2, 6, 8-12 NKJV

---

James: called the Proverbs of the New Testament.

This feels somewhat hopeless. On one hand I know that I will not be made perfect until Christ comes again. And James says no man can tame the tongue. Does this render us utterly helpless?

No! Not true!

James says no man, no flesh can tame the tongue. Aha! That is good news for us. We are made of the Spirit.

The Bible is full of the greatest wisdom- instruction for righteousness- and for our correction.

---

"Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;

When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."

Proverbs 17:28 NKJV

---

---

"Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]."

James 1:19-20 AMP

---

---

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

---

I must be slow to speak, to allow time to submit my tongue to my spirit. I must capture every thought, BEFORE speaking. Capturing every thought to submit it to the authority of Jesus Christ. I become a mature Spirit-filled believer when I do this. I am no longer a creature of flesh - but a new creature born of the Spirit!

Then, can I train my tongue not to speak? Though I know it loves to be heard - it aches to share its insight, history, and thoughts. But I must BE more in silence than in speaking, having a posture of discernment, and a teachable spirit.

The same photo but in a different light looks changed. The same photo but differing contrast is transformed. I think it's a great visual of how we appear, are received, or are trained in our quietness - in our pause - in our receiving - in our submission to the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, tame my tongue by Your Spirit! Let my mouth be a mouth that speaks only life, only words given from Your heart, like a spring of fresh water, or fresh wind! Let no words of death, gossip, or cursing leave my mouth. I am a new creation in Christ! I have the mind of Christ! I take every thought captive and submit it to the authority of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!