Conquering the Flesh

Journey Into The Promised Land

James 3:1–18 (CSB)

CONTROLLING THE TONGUE

3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. 3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

The Tongue

Are you ready to begin our next march to demolish the barriers blocking the fulfillment of God’s promises in your life? During the next few days we are going to deal with one of the most powerful forces in the world, one that determines the entire course of your life:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or life). (Proverbs 18:21, TAB)

Your words determine your destiny! You are either speaking forth…
…Blessing or cursing.
…Power or weakness.
…Faith or unbelief.
…Victory or defeat.
…Abundance or lack.
…Life or death.

If you continually speak negative words of fear, doubt, and discouragement, you are setting the course of your life to live in discouragement and defeat. If you constantly talk about your problems, your sickness, and your lack of finances, you will continue to live with your problems, sickness, and lack of finances. The words coming out of your mouth will hinder you from taking possession of God’s promises!

However, if you will take control over your tongue, get rid of the doubt and unbelief in your heart and mind, fill your mouth with the Word of God, and begin to speak it forth, you will be setting the course of your life to live in victory. You will take possession of God’s promises!

God is bringing us into a new dimension of authority where our words, spoken with authority, invested in the promises of God, will enable us to confront every stronghold of the enemy. Before you can enter this powerful spiritual realm of authority, however, you must gain control of your tongue.

This battle to gain control of your tongue actually begins in your heart and mind. That is why we spent the entire month of March breaking through the barrier of our carnal, natural minds to take hold of the one-hundred percent victorious mind of Christ. Only as your mind is renewed and you take hold of the one-hundred percent victorious mind of Christ will you be able to bring your tongue under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Make this declaration:

I am going to fight and win the battle for my tongue. It will come under the control of the Holy Spirit.

*Adapted from MCWE email – Journey Into The Promised Land by Morris Cerullo

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