The tongue—that small, yet powerful instigator—seeks to wield control over our whole being. It finds its fuel in our innermost thoughts and emotions, and then overwhelms our self-control, unleashing its unrighteous destruction upon others. Nevertheless, the tongue has no authority of its own.
From Pope Francis’ point of view, we are to ask the Father to prevent us from giving in to temptation. The traditional rendering of Matthew 6:13, on the other hand, suggests that God actually leads us into temptation, which is an irreconcilable idea for many. Is the Pope correct in retranslating this verse?
One would think that the mouth and the tongue are necessarily subservient to the mind—that one is only capable of saying what he is thinking. But many times—too many times—it seems as if our tongue has a mind of its own. How is such a phenomenon possible? Can our tongues actually speak independently of our minds?
It can be an exhilarating experience to see something new in the Scriptures—to be reading through or studying a familiar passage, and then suddenly have the words leap off the page and grab our attention, as if for the first time. It is a stirring reminder that the Word of God is alive—that the Scriptures are a thoroughly spiritual document…. But sometimes, some of us will make a dire mistake.
When we say that we have faith in the Messiah Yeshua, what we are actually declaring—though we may not realize it—is that we are unable to resist emulating the One in whom we believe… that our beliefs are self-compelled to externalize and manifest themselves through action. We betray that faith, then, when we reduce it to simple thoughts and feelings…
There has never been more precious covenant blood exchanged than that of the Lamb of God—our Master, the Messiah Yeshua. As we partake of the Passover memorial, let us remember what the shed blood of Yeshua bought for us, and bought us for.
Exploring the Book of Ya’aqov, Pt. 10 For whoever keeps the whole תּוֹרָה, Torah, and stumbles in one point, has become guilty of breaking it all. For He who is saying, “YOU MUST NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “YOU MUST NOT MURDER.” And so, if you do not commit adultery, yet you commit murder, you […]
Exploring the Book of Ya’aqov, Pt. 9 My brothers, do not hold the faith of the glory of our Master יֵשׁוּע, Yeshua the Messiah in favoritism. For if there comes into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, dressed in bright clothing, and there also comes in a poor man in shabby clothing, and […]
Exploring the Book of Ya’aqov, Pt. 8 If anyone thinks himself to be devout—not bridling his tongue, but rather deceiving his heart—the devotion of this one is vain. Devotion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their oppression, and to keep himself unspotted from the […]
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything—by prayer and by asking for help, with thanksgiving—let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which is surpassing all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah יֵשׁוּעַ, Yeshua. (Philippians 4:6-7, mjlt) In today’s uneasy and tumultuous world, there are plenty […]
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