Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-25
Power, Poison, Praise.

| The power of speech had filled many or
| the Jewish Christians with false ambi-
tions to be leaders in the teaching force
| of the church. This had caused disorder.
discord and difficulties in various con-
gregations where many had sought to BE-
| the minister or ruler OF the congregation.
James does not oppose the ambition OF
the Christian to be a teacher. but he
does hold that all are not called to be
teachers. The church is not a teachers
college, but a school of disciples. He con-
demns that self-satisfied spirit that 10
anxious to express and force ones per-
sonal opinion upon the church, yet will
not listen to the teachings of others. who
may be equally competent to instruct
others in the way of life. The man whose
duty 1t is to teach has a grave RESPONSE
biiity. James himself recognizes that
he himself might stumble. Paul feared the
same thing. The man behind the sermon
gives 1t power. A small sin may mar .
life's labor for Christ and His church
The greatest difficulty that we all face
is to obtain control over our tongues
Animals are controlled by a bit, but the
Christians tongue must be controlled
from within. 1t is the life that counts in
is under control has secured the mastery
Of himself. The man who controls his
tongue can master anything. The horse
can be controlled by small bit. The
ship is directed by q small rudder The,
small things exercise control over the
great. The little things OF life make and
master the larger things. Man can cont
troll nature. master vessels and direct an
imals, but without uod's help he cannot
control his own life. II God helps him
to control the tongue He can and will
help him to control his life. Self control
means that we are mastered by the
spirit OF God, who helps US when we
stumble. Strengthens US when we are
weak, and supports us by the holy spirit
to do His will. We need to let Him
control our tongues-that world of In
iquity.
The man who seeks by his lips to praise
God must live q consistent life. He must
heed the golden text Putting away
falsehood, speak We truth each man with
his neighbor: for We. are members one Of
another" Truth is at the foundation OF
society. therefore God desires truth in
the inward parts" so that we may send
forth streams Of blessing. God, In His
creation. never made lie. The fountain
does not send forth bitter and sweet wa
tiers, neither does the olive grow on q fig
tree. II we are to glorify God we must
eliminate all evil from our lives The
only way we can do this 10 to live In
Him, dwell deep in Him, and bring forth
fruits that will glorify Him.
Let US obey the injunction Of our Lord.
as repeated by James, in the last verse OF
our lesson, that we. fall not under. con-
demnation. Tho greatest power OF life 10
not in the tongue. but In the heart, for
out Of its abundance the mouth speak.
eth: the good man out OF the good treas-
ures of the heart brfngeth forth good
things, and the evil man out Of the evil
treasures bringeth forth evil things"
There is but one path to purity OF speech.
Let US all seek 1t at the throne of grace,
praying Let the words OF my mouth
and the meditations of~my heart be ac-
ceptable in Thy sight, o Lord, my
strength and my Redeemer.''