FRIDAY, APRIL 14
1 Corinthians 1:10
James 3:1-12

"…that ye all speak the same thing…"

UNITED IN SPEECH!

We have the duty to strive for peace in the church. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:3 that a believer should endeavour (Gr. spoudazō, i.e. spare no effort, be diligent) "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The unity of the church is our responsibility!

How can we have a united church in Christ? Firstly, strive for unity in speech! In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers to "speak the same thing." Of course, this does not mean that they should be programmed like robots to speak the same words all the time. Rather, it directed the Christians to have sanctified speech that was seasoned with salt and girded in good theology.

The danger of the tongue is most vividly illustrated in the book of James. James lamented that men could tame the wildest animals and the sea. Yet he failed to control the little organ that was present in his mouth. "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" (James 3:5). A few careless words can cause brothers to quarrel and split the church. "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle" (Prov 18:19). The words that we speak are a reflection of our heart, "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt 12:34). If we are to control our tongue, let us first guard our thoughts. The only way to do this is to have a mind that is constantly renewed by God’s Word. Do we meditate upon His Word day and night?

To "speak the same things" also refers to how we ought to be in agreement in the things of the Lord. This speaks of doctrinal unity. If a church is full of teachers who advocate their own personal views and opinions rather than the teachings in the Bible, would that not cause the church to split? "…be not many masters" (James 3:1)!

THOUGHT: My words have consequences.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to guard my tongue.