How do you tame a tongue? Why does it need taming? We live in a time when people have little respect for themselves or others and use all manner of filthy language and angry words.

A few days ago, my daughter and I were shopping, and an acquaintance of hers, a young man, came up and talked with her about duck eggs. The language that came out of his mouth was quite offensive. He had no respect for my daughter as a young woman, nor for me as an old woman. Sadly, this isn’t a unique incident; it’s quite the norm for people to use vulgar words as if they are acceptable. It’s bad enough in the secular world, but this same vile language is also heard among Christians.

“If any man among you seem religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceive his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26).

These are wise words from James. Our tongue allows us to taste food as well as to speak. Why should we use such an amazing part of our anatomy for vulgar purposes? We should use it to build up others and encourage fellow Christians. We should use our tongue to praise God in words and in song. Our tongue needs to be tamed and brought under control.

Does your tongue deny the very faith you profess? Maybe you don’t use offensive language, but do you tell off-color jokes to your friends in the office break room? Do you use your tongue to speak gossip about others? Is your tongue reflecting what’s in your heart? If so, then you need to examine your heart and draw closer to Jesus.

The Apostle Peter always seems to be an example of speaking whatever came into his mind. Sometimes he said the right thing, and that shows the change Jesus was working in him. When Jesus asked His disciples what people said about Him, they gave Him some general answers.

“And they said some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14).

That’s similar to people today. Many people, including professing Christians, know the name but don’t know who He truly is. They will use His name as a swear word but don’t realize that Jesus Christ is God. Using His name as a cuss word shows you have no respect for who He is and what He did for you.

When Jesus asked the disciples who people said He was, He heard their answer but wanted a deeper understanding from the men who followed Him, the ones He would entrust with sharing the Gospel. He wants a deeper understanding from us today, too.

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).

Jesus asks you that same question. It’s important that you know exactly who He is. Peter had the right answer. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

Peter used his tongue to speak truth, and Jesus commended Him for it. “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17).

Jesus was well pleased with Peter, and told him that this confession of truth is the foundation…the rock…that the church would be built upon. Jesus is the Rock, and you must believe Jesus is “…the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Use your tongue to praise Him and share the Gospel with others. Don’t use your tongue to tell lies, spread gossip, or mock Jesus. Praise Him in word and song.

Words are important, and Peter was learning to tame his tongue. He had been rash on many occasions, and having been a fisherman by trade, I’m sure his words were often rough and foul. Jesus changed him, just as He will change you, if you allow it.

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11).

Maybe Peter was like us and his words were influenced by the friends he was with. We all need to be in the world so that we can be a good witness for Christ, but we can’t allow the world to influence us. Peter learned and allowed Jesus to change him. All of us have much to learn, but controlling our words is a good first step. If you follow the ways of the world, you will compromise your walk with Jesus.

The Apostle Paul also had much to overcome in his life in order to be the leader God knew he would be. Paul was known as Saul when we first read of him in Acts. He held the coats of the men who stoned Stephen; he wasn’t a very nice man. As we read more, we see that his hatred for Christians drove him to do evil against them.

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2).

He used his words to persuade the Jewish religious leaders to allow him to arrest Christians. When Paul met Jesus, his life was utterly changed. He totally surrendered his life to Jesus and became the example of what a missionary and a preacher should be. Paul’s sin had been great, but he was forgiven. Whatever sin you have in your life isn’t too big to be forgiven. Paul tamed his tongue and used his words to share the Gospel, and all these many centuries later, we still draw encouragement and wisdom from his words. He encouraged prayer…talking with God.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1).

Do you pray for all men? Even those whom you don’t like? I have the names of a few people I know whom I pray for every day. They each have a specific need, some for healing, some for salvation, some for guidance, some for comfort. Because I care about these people, I pray for them. Bully for me. Do I pray for people I don’t particularly care for? People who may have used their untamed tongue to hurt me? I have to confess that I seldom do. Shame on me.

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8).

Pray for your wives, your husbands, your children, your leaders, your parents, your friends, your enemies. Prayer is talking with God. Use your tongue to speak boldly but humbly to the God of all Creation, and sing praises to Him. Then use your ears to listen to His answer.

James had some deep insight into the trouble with an untamed tongue. “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. 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: But the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:6-8).

James speaks as a man who has experienced the wrath of an untamed tongue. Was he the recipient of verbal abuse, or was he the one who was the bully? James went on to reveal further truth.

“Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God” (James 3:9).

That describes most of us. We sit in pews and pray, seeming very righteous, but then we gossip about others as soon as we leave the worship service. We all say things we regret, and James is clear that taming the tongue is not easy. I’ve learned over time that it’s better to keep quiet rather than hurt people with my words. It isn’t always easy, especially when someone is using words against me. That’s when I need to seek God and pray for Him to guide my own words. I need to pray for those who hurt my feelings, and ask Him to forgive me for the times I’ve hurt others.

Jesus told us the best way to handle it when we are persecuted. “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

If you’re a Christian, you will be the focus of persecution at times. You can be sure that worse insults and persecution were directed at Jesus, but He forgave those who mocked Him. Study His life, and pray to be more like Him. We will never be perfect by our own efforts, but day by day, the Holy Spirit will guide us all to a closer walk with our Lord.

King David must have been a special person, and his love for God still guides us today. His heart was to please God, and when he failed, he repented. He wrote many psalms regarding persecution.

“[[A Psalm of David.]] Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed” (Psalm 37:1-3).

Let God deal with those who come against you. You cannot change them, but God can. Bridle your tongue and pray for them. If you dwell on the sins of others, you only hinder your own walk with the Lord.

“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil” (Psalm 37:8).

You can only give yourself to God and allow Him to change you. Don’t allow your own feelings of anger at the words and actions of others to come between you and Jesus.

“The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:30-31).

We are righteous only through the blood of Jesus. When we study Scripture, we will walk closer to Him, and our words will reflect His righteousness. David’s words are timeless and his wisdom is from God.

Solomon also understood the need for a tamed tongue. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

An untamed tongue leads to more actions that bring dishonor to God. Once again, we can learn from Paul. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Taking your thoughts captive and giving them to Jesus will help you tame your tongue. If you don’t think evil, your tongue won’t speak evil. “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).

Remember, you can only control your own thoughts and your own tongue. Be forgiving and speak gentle God-honoring words.

The Proverbs 31 woman has many good qualities. She is the mother of King Lemuel, but who is he? Many have speculated that the mother is Bathsheba and that Lemuel is a pet name she had for Solomon. Others speculate that Lemuel was actually a pagan king. The mystery may never be fully resolved, and the description of a “virtuous woman” is difficult to live up to.

“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:12).

Well, that’s the way a wife should treat her husband, but many wives have little respect for their husbands. The chapter goes on to describe a very hard-working woman who is a wonderful wife and mother. She buys land and plants vineyards, spins wool, cares for the poor and needy, and makes clothing for her family and herself. She is very intimidating! In my opinion, one of her best qualities is “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:25-26).

She has tamed her tongue and speaks words of wisdom and kindness.

As Christians, we must tame our tongues and use our words to honor God. He has given us everything, and we need to praise Him every day. I’ve heard so many people lament that their prayers bounce off the ceiling and never reach God’s ears. My question is, do you honor Him with your words, or do you complain that He just hasn’t done enough for you? Praise Him more, lift your hands in worship and praise. Let your words honor Him before all people. Tame your tongue and bring your thoughts into captivity unto the Lord.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

While I was praying about what to write for this week, I thought it would be something about prophecy. Much is happening in the world that screams of prophecy being fulfilled, and the fact that the Rapture is literally at our doorstep, there should have been no problem choosing a subject.

Maybe the subject would be to encourage Christians to walk closer to Jesus. It’s never been more important to live our faith. Why, then, did my thoughts keep turning to the most ridiculous subject imaginable? Chickens! Really, I kept trying to come up with a deeper subject, but I kept returning to chickens. Then, I saw a video on YouTube talking about how chickens are proof of God. It seemed to confirm that chickens are a valid subject. So, I apologize to anybody who finds this a frivolous subject. God as creator is a basic truth that no Christian should deny.

Question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? I’ll give my thoughts at the end.

Chickens are useful for many things, not the least of which is eggs. My husband and I had a flock of chickens, but when he died, I had to sell them. Years later, my daughter thought chickens would be good to have, and I agreed. They lay eggs and eat bugs, so that’s very useful.

We started with two hens just to get eggs for breakfast and maybe baking. We named them Laverne and Shirley. Laverne liked people, and every time I went outside, she would come running from wherever she was in the yard just to be petted and told she was beautiful. As time passed, Shirley had a run-in with a predator and didn’t survive; that left Laverne alone. Chickens are social creatures, so we needed to get her some friends.

That’s not unlike Christians. We need to have friends like us. Friends who love the Lord, and who will encourage us in our walk with Christ, and friends we can encourage in their walk.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness: and what communion hath light with darkness” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

My daughter works at a farm and home supply store, and it just so happened that they were selling chicks. We got six.

You don’t just get chicks and expect them to survive. They need to be nurtured and kept warm. Mother hens do that naturally, and Jesus used this as an example of how He had wanted to interact with the Jewish people when He walked this earth. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and the lack of faith found there. The Jewish leaders had prophecy and should have recognized that He was the Messiah, but they rejected Him. We have that same blindness today. We must accept Jesus and be born again in order to live forever with Him, but the lust of the flesh stops us. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem a few days before His crucifixion, He paused to lament the blindness of the leaders.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37).

As long as we have breath in our lungs, it isn’t too late to accept Jesus for salvation. Don’t wait until tomorrow; that may be too late. He will gather us under His wings for protection and comfort. Also, don’t be blind to prophecy. It’s being fulfilled now.

Along with the chicks, we also got three ducklings. Ducklings and chicks are very different from each other. Although they are both of the bird kind, each develops in their own distinctive way.

Ducklings can’t get enough water. They begin swimming at a very early age but need to be watched so they don’t drown. We kept these little chicks and ducklings in a plastic tote with a heat lamp over them for warmth. Laverne continued laying eggs and needing attention.

Eventually, our chicks were mature enough to be put outside with Laverne, who was very miffed. She didn’t like her new friends and decided that she wouldn’t give us any more eggs. I followed her one day and found that she was laying eggs under a bush. It seems she was punishing us for bringing in all these extra chickens.

Eventually, she settled in and accepted her new friends. This is much like many Christian congregations. They like their little “club” but have a very hard time allowing new Christians to join.

I once attended a church like that, and it was a sad, dying congregation. That was just one symptom of some very deep problems there. In the early days of Christianity, new people were joyfully welcomed into the congregation. On the day of Pentecost, Peter gave a very convicting sermon, and about 3,000 people came to faith and repentance that day. What a blessing! God’s truth, instead of New Age or politically correct speeches, brought salvation.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

They didn’t go off and start cults but listened to the words of the Apostles and lived accordingly as part of the congregation.

Meanwhile, the ducks were growing. We named them Quackers, Cheese, and Cheddar. Turns out we had one male and two females. When the duck hens were old enough to lay eggs, we discovered they were laying them in their swimming tub. We had to scoop them out daily with a fishing net. Eventually, the ladies figured out that they needed to lay the eggs on solid ground in order for them to survive. Again, this relates to Christian life. In order for us to be productive for Christ, we need to build our life on the Solid Rock, not on sinking sand.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

On the other hand, the foolish man built his house on sand, and it couldn’t stand during the storms.

Eventually, egg prices went through the roof! The chickens were giving me more eggs than I really needed, and stores sold eggs for a small fortune. So, we decided to sell eggs. Our prices are very low compared to the store because we are more interested in people having food than for us to get rich.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). 

We sell eggs and use the money to buy chicken /duck food and bedding. So far, we haven’t made a profit of any kind with our eggs, but people are able to have food, and that’s very important. God blesses us in other ways.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). God is good.

Chickens lay eggs whether or not there’s a rooster around, but a rooster is a good investment for a healthy flock. God created everything male and female for a reason, and gender is not optional. Each has their own very important place in life. The male is the protector and provider, while the female is the one who bears the offspring and nurtures them. Neither is more important than the other, but both are necessary.

So, a friend gave us two roosters. We named them Rocky and Rudy. They are beautiful Rhode Island Red roosters, with sweet dispositions. Then, my older daughter, who lives far from me, decided to visit. Although we talk daily, I hadn’t seen her nor my grandchildren for many years. I was thrilled. My youngest granddaughter likes ducks, so I decided I needed to incubate some eggs so they would hatch while she was here. I felt more certain of getting fertile chicken eggs than duck eggs, so I chose six chicken eggs to hatch. Then I had to choose an incubator. Well, I’m not an expert on incubators, but I couldn’t afford a fancy one. I had to choose one that would keep the proper temperature and humidity, as well as turn the eggs every 90 minutes.

I finally decided on one, and hoped it would work. It has settings for chickens, ducks, quail, and geese. Each has their own temperature and humidity requirements, as well as a different length of time to hatch. Chickens take 21 days. After seven days, it’s a good idea to candle the egg. At this point, there’s a change in the yolk. It’s darker and veins can be seen developing.

After fourteen days, it’s obvious that there’s a chicken in the shell. After 19 days, they have to stop turning so the chick will be in the correct position to hatch. On day 21, a tiny hole appears in the shell, and the egg wiggles. Soon, a little beak begins poking through, and the hole grows. It may take hours, but eventually, a very exhausted chick is free. The yolk has provided food, and the chick doesn’t need to eat for a day or so.

When my granddaughter was here, it happened right on time, and we all watched in amazement and awe of God’s design!

When the chick dries, it’s ready for the brooder, where it keeps warm and has food and water when its ready. The amazing thing to me is that a chicken knows how to hatch chicks, and the chicks know how to escape the shell. God has put this knowledge into them; they didn’t evolve. Evolution cannot account for this.

If chickens evolved from dinosaurs (as some say), how did they learn to sit on the eggs and how to protect their young? Lizards don’t have the same temperature and humidity needs as a chicken or a duck, or a quail; they don’t sit on the eggs, nor do they nurture their young. There would have had to be more than one critter that would have mutated in the same way to become a chicken, or a goose, or a quail, etc. Then those two mutants would have had to mate, and have offspring identical to themselves. No, evolution did not happen.

“And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth” (Genesis 1:21-22).

They didn’t evolve; they were created.

The chickens and my cats get along just fine, as long as the cats do exactly what the chickens say. I have a box on my porch that the cats use to keep warm during the winter and also raise kittens. One day, one of my chickens decided to take over. She would allow the cats to share the box with her, and it was very amusing to look into the box and see a chicken looking up at me with 3 or 4 cats surrounding her. Chickens are very good at going to bed in their house around sundown every night, and I always count to see if they are all there.

I started to be short one chicken at night. Turns out it was the one in with the cats. So, I would carry her to the chicken house and then collect her egg from the box. One of the amazing things that God did when creating birds is put a protective coating around the egg. This allows eggs to not spoil. God is good at protecting people, too.

“That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:12-14).

When a person finally repents and puts faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for salvation, that person is sealed with the Holy Spirit. The seal is necessary in protecting Christians. A chicken will begin laying eggs in a nest, and when she decides that’s enough, she will sit on them, keeping them at the right temperature, humidity, and turning them at the right time. This goes on for 21 days, and the egg doesn’t spoil because it’s sealed. The hen stays on her nest and seldom leaves for any reason. I finally realized that my hen was trying to hatch her eggs! How does she know exactly what to do? God put this knowledge in her.

I began leaving her in the box at night, but I did put a dish of food and water in with her. I also have 9 eggs in the incubator right now, and they should hatch two or three days after the chicken hatches her eggs.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). 

Just an amusing side note; I had a mother cat who had 5 kittens and put them in the box with the chicken. The chicken wasn’t bothered by this one little bit. She would keep the kittens warm while the mother cat got food and water. I did find another box for the kittens because I didn’t want the chicken to smother them, and it was crowded in the box with a sitting hen, 5 kittens, and a mother cat, all trying to share the same space. God’s creation is amazing.

Jesus used a mother hen as an example of how He had desired to protect the Jewish people. He also used a rooster as a convicting sign to Peter of his denial of Christ. The account is told in all 4 Gospels.

“And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me” (Luke 22:34).

Peter had great intentions of defending Jesus, but Jesus knew he would fail. Peter did deny knowing Jesus three times…and then the cock crowed. Every time my roosters crow, I ask myself if I’ve denied Christ with thoughts, words, or deeds. Jesus still loved Peter, just as He loves us when we fail. There’s no sin so big that it can’t be forgiven. Remember that when you lose your temper, tell a lie, or commit some worse sin. Jesus will always forgive if you repent. The trick is, when you repent, mean it and ask God to help you be more like Him.

When a chicken lays an egg, she announces it to the world. I call it her “egg song.” I think of the joy in Heaven when a lost sinner turns to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation.

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).

New birth is something to sing about. Whether chicken or human, God has created an amazing world. When a repentant sinner comes to salvation, Christians should rejoice because it’s a new birth of a lost soul for salvation.

We’re drawing near to the Rapture, and prophecy is being fulfilled quickly. We need to share the Gospel with as many people as we can, then rejoice when they accept Christ. Don’t be blind to the truth of God’s word, and don’t be afraid to defend God’s truth. Believe Scripture from Genesis through Revelation. It’s all written for our edification, and the more you study, the more in awe of God you’ll be.

Evolution is not truth, and simply looking at God’s creation will help you to understand it couldn’t evolve. A dinosaur did not become a chicken; a monkey did not become a human. Evolution didn’t happen.

My answer to the riddle above is that they were created at the same time. A hen has a conveyor belt of eggs waiting to be laid. When she lays one, the others move up a notch in the line. They all contain the genetic information to be a chicken. That first hen was ready to lay a chicken egg, then another chicken egg, etc. Every egg-laying creature is the same.

Evolution is a joke that isn’t funny.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

Pray for Israel and for the military. I hope it doesn’t drag on and on. I keep hoping that a stray Iranian rocket will hit that mosque. That would really upset the Muslim world.