By Melody Moore
He’s still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
Do you remember that song? I sang it in church MANY years ago with a dear friend. But the words are just as true today as they were over 35 years ago.
Everyone has something they’re working to improve. At least we should be working to improve something! Mine is my tongue. At least, that’s my main concern at the moment. I don’t mean to, but I can cut someone to the quick in a hurry with my tongue. The primary victim is usually my husband. I praise and thank God for giving me a patient and understanding husband.
“Words are powerful. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:3-6 NIV).
We can use them to praise the Lord, bring someone comfort, tell someone about the Lord, or cause someone pain or even turn them off to Christianity by being hypocritical.
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water” (James 3:9-12 NIV).
You’ve heard the phrase, “God will never give us more than we can handle.” The truth is the exact opposite. The phrase should be, “God will never give us more than we can handle with His help.” If we rely solely on our own power, we should get used to the taste of dirt. We will be flat on our faces more often than not.
I have been spending a lot of time in God’s Word working on my tongue problem (which is really a heart and temper problem).
We are blessed to live in a time in which we have many ways to access God’s Word. A friend introduced me to YouVersion, a Bible app that I downloaded to my smartphone. It is awesome! And so far, every plan or Bible study I have participated in has been true to God’s Word. I still set aside time for God’s Word (and sometimes I fail), but this app has given me access to plans I would not have otherwise known about. I can get refreshed with His Word while I drive the whole four minute drive over to the main campus, or the library, etc. It helps! A lot!
God never meant for us to do any of this alone. Attach yourself to friends of like faith. Get involved in studies or a discipleship program (check out https://livingintruthministries.com/reaching-new-heights-mentoring-program/). Dive into God’s Word.
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue” (James 3:7-8 NIV).
I’m not doubting that mankind can’t tame the tongue, but I’m betting God can. I wasn’t meant to do this alone, neither were you.
He’s still working on me . . . ♪♫
