November 2025
The Apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him.” It’s important to understand and realize that without faith it is absolutely impossible to please God. Faith is probably the most precious commodity that a Christian possesses.
Paul goes on in his letter to the Believers in Rome and says in Romans 12:3, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think; but to think soberly [wisely], according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Each of us as Christians has the same measure of faith. The only difference is that some have taken the time to develop their faith more than others. But God wants our faith to grow. This is why Paul again tells us that the faith of the Believers in Thessalonica was growing and developing.
2 Thessalonians 1:3, “We are bound to thank God always for you brethren, as it is meet [fitting and proper] because your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity [love] of every one of you all toward each other abounds.” Whether you realize it or not, it’s important that your faith keeps growing and growing and never stops until Jesus comes. There is one building block to faith that I want to share with you that believe will help you. I believe that this building block will help you to keep growing continually in our faith walk.
LEARN TO RESPECT YOUR TONGUE
In James 3:1-3, he says, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body. We put bits in the horse’s mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn their whole body. Behold also the ships which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned around with a very small helm, wherever the governor lists [chooses]. Even so the tongue is a little member, and it boasts great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindles. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course [wheel] of nature; and it is set on fire of Hell. For every kind of beast and birds and serpents and of things in the sea is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it, we bless God, even the Father, and with it we curse men, who are made after the similitude [likeness] of God. Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be. Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren bear olives? Or can a vine bear figs? So then, no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh water!”
When God wanted to create the world, He spoke words. Words are creative forces that bring into existence that which never existed before. Your tongue is one of the greatest gifts placed at your command by God. Use it wisely and you will discover the great benefits it will produce in your life. Too many Christians don’t respect their tongue therefore it gets them into trouble. Treat your tongue with the utmost of respect and realize even though it may be a small member it has great creative power!
Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they who love it shall eat the fruit of it.” Notice it that death and life are in the power of your tongue. This is why we need to be very careful as to what we let come out of our mouth. We can either speak life to our life or death to our life, the choice is ours alone. Words are power packed with whatever we let come out.
Notice also in that verse that Solomon says that “…they who love it shall eat the fruit of it [the tongue]!” Your tongue produces fruit! The question that all we who are Believers is this: “What kind of fruit do you like and what kind of fruit do you want in your life?” Once again, this is why we need to be very careful about what we allow to proceed from our lips. Your tongue is connected to your mouth and your mind. Your tongue may be a small member of your body, but it’s filled with power, and it needs to be respected by you.
I want to encourage you that if you want to build your faith, then learn to respect your tongue. I also want to encourage to stay in faith, stay in prayer, stay in the Word every day, make you daily confession, pray in the spirit for our nation, our leaders, and all who are in authority, pray for the peace of Jerusalem; and remember “God loves you; we love you and JESUS IS LORD!”
In the Service of Our King,
Darrell G. Harrelson