Daily Reading Week 22
Sunday
James 3
DISCOVER
What does the tongue represent according to verse 6?
According to verses 9 & 10 what good things can we do with our speech? What evil can we do?
Why does James use the analogies of different fruits and trees - v. 12?
RESPOND
In today’s passage James continues his emphasis on the importance of controlling our speech.
Even though we have tamed horses and many other animals James makes the point that we have failed to tame our tongues. James uses the analogies of a ship’s rudder and a horse’s bit to emphasize how a small thing can exert significant control over a much larger thing. Much like a small bit can direct the path of a large horse, so our speech can have an outsized influence over the direction of our lives. Look back over the course of your life and consider how your tongue has directed it, for good and for ill. Have you uttered words that you later have come to regret and suffered bad consequences as a result? Have you offered words of encouragement to someone suffering, or coaching to someone seeking direction? Our tongues are among the smallest of muscles but can exert the most influence.
John Calvin wrote “Since the tongue cannot be restrained, there must be some secret fire of hell hidden in it.” God has not left us to ourselves to solve this problem though. As believers we have the indwelling Holy Spirit who will help us as we submit to him. As you pray today, ask God to help you to be sensitive to the leading of his Spirit to control your tongue.
monday
Matthew 12
DISCOVER
What is the point of the illustration of the tree and its fruit – 12:33? What application did this have to the Pharisees – 12:34?
What lesson should we learn about our hearts in relation to our conduct – 12:35?
How important are the words that we speak according to 12:36,37?
What is meant by idle words?
RESPOND
We are looking at what the Bible has to say to us about taming our tongues this week. In yesterday’s passage James helps us to understand that even though it is relatively small, our tongue wields great influence. James goes to great lengths to demonstrate what a challenge it is for us as fallen creatures to control our tongues. In today’s chapter Jesus, as he often does, gets to the literal heart of the matter. Jesus tells us that our words are simply a reflection of what is already in our hearts. He uses the analogy of a bad tree and the fruit it produces. If the tree is bad it can only produce bad fruit, but the reason the fruit is bad is because the tree from which it comes is bad. The people who were opposed to Jesus in today's chapter do not merely suffer from an external problem. The “fruit” of their lips is bad which is an indication that the source of this fruit, their hearts, is also bad. Even if their suggestions that Jesus was possessed by an evil spirit were meant in jest, these words reveal an evil heart. The Greek word translated as “careless” in Matthew 12:36 refers to words that we might consider unimportant. Words that we might say without thinking still carry weight and are a reflection of who we are. If we are going to guard our speech we must first guard our heart. How thoughtful are you before you speak, and what do your whispered comments reveal about the state of your heart?
tuesday
Matthew 15
DISCOVER
What Jewish tradition did Jesus rebuke in 15:3-6?
What Old Testament passage did Jesus quote in verses 7-9? What two kinds of errors does this rebuke?
How did Jesus compare what comes out of the mouth to what goes in – 15:11,17-20?
RESPOND
It has been said that the heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart. Jesus continues to address our hearts in today’s passage. Looking specifically at verses 10-20 Jesus uses the words of the Pharisees to make his point. He notes their hypocrisy, as he often does throughout the gospels, by showing how concerned they were with outward compliance but were inwardly corrupt. Even their attempts at outward compliance were ultimately self-serving.
The Jewish people had developed oral traditions around the law in an attempt to make sure that the letter of the law would not be broken. For example in Deuteronomy 14:21 the law forbids cooking a young animal in its mother’s milk. The Jewish tradition of not consuming dairy and meat together was meant to ensure no one would break this specific law. The oral tradition that Jesus chastises the Pharisees for involves pledging all of their worldly possessions to God at their death. This allowed them to deny taking financial responsibility for their parents while keeping everything they owned for themselves. This allowed them to make the claim that they were relying on God for the care of their parents instead of actually keeping the commandment to honor their parents in life.
Jesus is showing us that we are not sinners because we sin, but rather we sin because we are sinners. Making a list of rules like the Pharisees had done will not change this. The only hope we have is to change the source of our corruption. This is the message of the Gospel. God does not call us to merely stop sinning. He calls us to be changed from within and he provides the method for this transformation. By the power of his Spirit and his Word, he makes us new creations.
Wednesday
Romans 6
DISCOVER
What does it mean to present our bodies as instruments of sin or instruments of righteousness – 6:12-14?
What conclusion can we draw of Jesus' resurrection and our spiritual resurrection regarding the issue of continuing in sin?
RESPOND
We quickly see in chapter 6 of Romans that Paul’s claim that we are dead to sin cannot mean that sin no longer influences us. Although the power that sin has over us has been broken and we are able to resist it, the effort can be burdensome. According to Paul in chapter 5 we are no longer under the reign of sin, sin still exists in our unredeemed bodies creating sinful cravings that draw us into sinful behaviors. Paul challenges us to stand guard over every “member” of our bodies so that they do not become “instruments of unrighteousness.” Our eyes, ears, minds, and tongues can be channels for sinful cravings to get out of hand. Do your eyes often stray to sinful images? Is your tongue quick to gossip or criticize? Ask God to help you effectively stand guard over your body to refrain from sin, but rather work for his glory.
Thursday
Psalm 19
DISCOVER
What can we learn about the character of God from observing creation?
Can you think of a place that has made you feel the way David does in verses 1-6?
RESPOND
We’ve been looking at the topic of taming our tongue this week. So far we’ve focused on the things we should avoid with our speech. As believers we should avoid gossip, slander, lies, coarse jesting and the like. These things are not edifying for us or for the body of Christ. When trying to change a sin habit it is often helpful to focus less on what we should not be doing but instead on what we should be doing. Paul often tells us in his letters the things we should put away and then encourages us on to godly behavior. In Ephesians 4 Paul tells us that the one who steals should no longer steal but instead work with his hands so that he has something to share with others. He goes on in verse 29 to tell us to let no unwholesome word come out of our mouth, but only what would give grace to those who hear. As believers we should constantly be putting off our old sinful self and taking on Christ.
Psalm 19 gives us a wonderful example for how we can use our speech. David tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God. Day after day it speaks out to reveal his greatness. If God brought about creation to reveal his glory and to declare his magnificence, how much more should we as new creations in Christ proclaim his glory and worship him as the creator and only savior of mankind. John Calvin described the universe as God’s grand theater in which his power, wisdom, goodness, and glory are on display for all to see. It should ignite our hearts with worship and inspire us to praise him. When you are tempted to use your speech in a sinful way, instead focus on God and his glory and offer him praise instead.
Friday
Titus 3
DISCOVER
What are some other passages about “speaking evil” of others (3:2)?
What are some examples illustrating how we may be guilty?
RESPOND
In today’s passage Paul provides guidance on what it means to live differently than the world. He tells us that we should “speak evil of no one” in verse 2. At times it is incumbent upon us to describe the wickedness of others when it is appropriate, but we should never engage in slander. The Greek word used here is blasphemo, the same word used to describe the blasphemy of God. Paul is telling us to not misuse the names of other people by spreading hurtful information, lies, or maligning their character. Matthew Henry writes “If no good can be spoken, rather than speak evil unnecessarily, say nothing. We must never take pleasure in speaking ill of others, nor make the worst of anything, but the best that we can.”
Saturday
Proverbs 21
DISCOVER
What happens to the false witness according to verse 28?
What characterizes the man whose words endure?
RESPOND
How long do our words last? According to verse 28 of Proverbs 21 there are people who have much to say, but their words have little impact and don’t last very long. The man who’s words last is described as someone who listens to the truth first. This person seems to obtain wisdom more readily and their words last far longer. The person who speaks falsely may not even be purposefully lying. He could just be listening to, and accepting what is false. The second man is one who listens to the truth. It is interesting that the false witness is all about speaking, while the second man is more about listening and discerning. James tells us to be quick to hear and slow to speak. The person who listens and reflects on what he hears is far more likely to speak wise words that have impact rather than the empty words of the foolish person.