The Rudderless Society

GOD’S Paranormal Heartbeat News

I’m guilty, we’re all guilty. No, not one of us are perfect. The Only One who was/is perfect is Jesus Christ. And He is our example of perfection in that we are to guard our tongue.

James 3 (KJV)

2 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.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 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.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 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.

7 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:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

I went ahead and placed the whole chapter!

Why? Well, James makes comparisons.

1. Horse-have you ever heard the verse, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink”? I am a horse-lover! Besides the dog, a horse is my favorite animal. So majestic, and beautiful! But they also have great strength, speed, and graceful. My, oh my what grace and elegance. Although it is a symbol of power, it is docile. Sure, you have the wild side in every animal but when a master commands the horse, it follows.

2. Imagine the rudder of a ship and its raging against the storm. The destruction of water is known worldwide and the seas evoke many emotions of the fierceness of a hurricane, or even just the gentle wave hitting the shore. Gentle winds bringing with it the fragrance of the invigorating fresh air. If you’ve lived near the ocean then you know that the view of an evening of stars combined with the ocean can be memories that last a lifetime.
3. A ship on the ocean can be as helpless as a bird caught in a storm. So too, is the ship without a rudder. The slightest movement of the Captain’s hand on the wheel can maneuver into unseen depths of the ocean where rogue waves can crush it like a toy. So, we see that the wind can destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly as directed….even if it wasn’t intended to end up at its destination. The rudders below the stern are the tools necessary to control the ship against the fierceness of the wind.

The term “sharp tongue” comes into play as we consider this subject. Another term is “cut throat”…although this could mean a person will do what it takes to get what he wants…it could also mean sharp words.

It seems those closest to us get the brunt of these actions…people seem to take a bad day out on those nearest to us at the time and usually this is a family member. Spouting out nasty words, verbal commands, etc..can end up feeling like a slap in the face to the receiver.

You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn’t hurt at all.

GOD holds us accountable for our actions, and this includes what we say!

James also refers to fire in this chapter. He wants us to capture the graphic vision of the potential of how words can destroy.

Then, we have the example given by Solomon who writes, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

Proverbs 18 (KJV)

18 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Words can be devastating…they can tear a heart apart.

The comparison also utilized is comparing the tongue to the most ferocious beast!

In my younger days, I lived in a time where when your mother thought you had said something inappropriate, you had your mouth washed out with soap!

Maybe we need this for today’s youth too!!

How much salt can you add to water before it is ruined?

Last week, I placed a statement on FACEBOOK:

Ephesians 4-says we are to speak the truth of love and use this to build one another up…not allowing rotten or destructive words to pour from our lips. Herein lies the discernment needed to season our words with salt. Salt purifies (germs cannot live in it) and by analogy we are to have salt in us and our words.

Sometimes GOD will have someone treat you in the exact manner in which you treated someone else as a learning experience!

GOSSIP

If we look at others’ behavior, then we can learn to see ourselves. Instead we forget our own issues and spread nasty rumors….so sad.

Matthew 7 (KJV)

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

We must judge ourselves before we judge others. In fact, we must do our best to NOT judge others unless it’s how GOD intended and this is not the WWJD! What Would Jesus Do…

The world blinds our minds!

This reminds me of the article which I published this past Friday, (Good Friday) about the “Two Witnesses”…and the Sanhedrin.

The Sanhedrin priests were hypocrites. And Jesus Christ points this out to us here.

Defamation of Character

This was once attached to huge court battles. People would sue one another for “Slander” at the drop of a hat, but not so much anymore. Why? Well, this is a perfect “gossip” parallel.

Libel vs. Slander. Generally, a statement that is made in writing is libel, and an oral statement is slander. However, with increased internet usage, this line has become blurred. The focus now is on the “permanence” of the defamatory statement. For example, though instant messages are technically written statements, because of their transient nature they are arguably more akin to oral statements. Similarly, a “podcast” may be more like a written statement than an oral one because of the statement’s permanence and the ease with which is may be widely disseminated.

This distinction is important for establishing damages: the more permanent the statement, the more potentially harmful it is to the plaintiff in a defamation case – the greater the damages.

You can spread a rumor that can affect someone’s life…forever. And now with the internet where NOTHING disappears, this is even more true.

Facts vs. Opinion

For example, just because the defamatory speaker uses words like “I think” or “in my opinion” does not mean the statements were merely opinion.

There are NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS in gossip!

What’s the cause here?

DEMONS

Matthew 15 (KJV)

11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Our tongues and speech are controlled either by the devil or The Holy Spirit.

I personally know for a fact that when a person is drunk on booze, he can say and do things which are out of character.

When I was a drinker, I did and said things that I know I wouldn’t have do otherwise. I’m ashamed to admit it but it’s true.

There’s a reason why booze was once called “SPIRITS”.

Theory #1:

I firmly believe demons can and do direct your thoughts/actions/words.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The tongue is described as a world of iniquity that defiles the whole body. This means this little member can put the whole body under bondage. But, we must remember it is possible to tame the tongue.