Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
(James 3:1-5a, NASB)
“… we all stumble in many ways.” Isn’t that the truth?
None of us is able to “bridle the whole body.” None of us is perfect. We will stumble.
The question is, what do we do when we stumble? Do we throw our hands up in defeat and continue in our sin? Do we figure we’ve failed so badly there’s no hope?
If you have never accepted the gift of salvation of your sins, all you need to do is confess your need for salvation and submit your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then find a Bible-teaching church. Get a Bible and read it every day. Pray for guidance and help from the Holy Spirit.
But if you’re already a Christ-follower, don’t ever give up. Know that you will stumble, but the more you grow in your faith, the more you become like Christ, the less you’ll stumble. And when you do, confess your failings and commit to avoiding that sin in the future. Keep away from anything that might make you stumble—that means you may have to give up certain friends or seeing certain movies or going certain places.
Because, yes, you may stumble. But you have choices to make that might keep you from stumbling again.
No comments:
Post a Comment