{"id":6565,"date":"2024-06-19T00:46:34","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T00:46:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/?p=6565"},"modified":"2024-06-19T00:47:15","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T00:47:15","slug":"taming-the-tongue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/taming-the-tongue\/","title":{"rendered":"Taming the Tongue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click HERE for sermon audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.<\/span>\u00a02\u00a0<\/sup>For\u00a0we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says,\u00a0he is a perfect man,\u00a0able also to bridle his whole body.<\/span>\u00a03\u00a0<\/sup>If we put\u00a0bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.<\/span>\u00a04\u00a0<\/sup>Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.<\/span>\u00a05\u00a0<\/sup>So also the tongue is a small member, yet\u00a0it boasts of great things.<\/span><\/p>\n

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!<\/span>\u00a06\u00a0<\/sup>And\u00a0the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members,\u00a0staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[a<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0and set on fire by hell.[b<\/a>]<\/sup><\/span>\u00a07\u00a0<\/sup>For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,<\/span>\u00a08\u00a0<\/sup>but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil,\u00a0full of deadly poison.<\/span>\u00a09\u00a0<\/sup>With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people\u00a0who are made in the likeness of God.<\/span>\u00a010\u00a0<\/sup>From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[c<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00a0these things ought not to be so.<\/span>\u00a011\u00a0<\/sup>Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?<\/span>\u00a012\u00a0<\/sup>Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. (James 3:1-12)<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n

When we began the book of James, one of the things I mentioned is that at some point along the way, James will confront and righteously offend each and every one of us. Here, James expands upon a topic which he has already mentioned in such a way to show that we are all guilty of not living up to the righteous standard of God as it regards the tongue, for we all stumble in many ways. And the way that James confronts us is with more proverbial wisdom – the wisdom of proverbs being a great theme of this letter. The Proverbs speak at length about the tongue, and it is the proverbial wisdom applied that matures us into kings who rule with Christ, the King of Kings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Teachers, v. 1<\/b><\/p>\n

James begins by starting with the teachers, or those who would desire to be teachers by saying, \u201cNot many of you should become teachers, my brothers\u2026\u201d The reason he gives is that, \u201cwe who teach will be judged with greater strictness.\u201d In speaking of the tongue, this makes complete sense, since it is teachers who speak the most, or speak the most publicly, and in teaching and preaching the Word of God, do so authoritatively, speaking and applying God\u2019s word to His people. The weight and responsibility of this task is not a light thing, and its gravity is seen in the stricter judgment upon such ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We often think words are little things that do not matter much, as the saying goes, \u201csticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.\u201d Such a modern proverb is not a biblical proverb of kings. For in the bible words have great power and importance and strict judgment comes upon those who speak many of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

In our day, and in other times past, preaching and teaching in the church can be glamorized to be this flashy thing that every christian wants to attain to, to get to speak to crowds of people. But James says the opposite, that not many of you should become teachers. There is a stricter judgment to which God calls those who teach to account. So beware of quick rising stars in the evangelical world, and destroy that desire in yourself, or even the desire to be that in your own local church.<\/span><\/p>\n

To those who teach – myself and Marc – others – let us remember this and never forget it. May every word that we speak in this pulpit, every word in the counseling session, every word in homes, be a bridled word, fitly spoken, and may God help us, and Jesus be merciful to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

A great error that many make who want to be seen as a wise leader and teacher or influence in the church, is that they think they always have to be talking and fill up the room or your social media page with endless words, and this constant flowing of speech will display their ability and wisdom, but so often it only exposes their immaturity in the fact that they cannot bridle tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stricter judgment on those who teach, does mean that no one should teach, but only those who have the maturity to teach should teach. So often today we idealize the youthful young people and neglect the wisdom of the aged – we want the young cool guy preacher. This is foolishness. I recognize I say this as a young man, but the Bible also says to the young teacher, let no one look down on you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. It\u2019s not about the age in and of itself, but about the maturity, and one of the ways which maturity is measured is by the wisdom and the ability to bridle the tongue. If those who use their tongues to teach will be judged with a greater strictness, then wisdom and maturity in controlling the tongue is required to teach.<\/span><\/p>\n

So James starts here with the teachers in the church because of the fact that one of the things James talks about in this passage is the fact that the tongue is a small member that directs the whole body. He compares it to a small rudder directing a ship, or the small bit in the horse’s mouth. One of the ideas here is that the teachers of the church have a great influence, either for good or evil, on the whole body of the church. James refers to the whole body several times, in verse 2, 3, and 6 – the term \u201cbody\u201d a term used also to describe the body of the church. So there is a great weight on the teachers of the church, for what is taught in the church has a great effect on the whole body.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the church, we are a body that is founded and centered on the Word. We gather to hear the Word read, and taught, and applied. We sing the Word. We pray according to the Word. We meditate on the word. It is the word which makes us and shapes us into the mature man. Most often, over time, faithful godly teachers will be God\u2019s tool to mature a body of believers and endure through trials and testing. But a teacher who does not bridle the tongue can destroy a body of believers, like a ravaging raging forest fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

While James begins with the teachers, the application extends to all the brothers. We all have some level of influence and power with our tongues for good or evil. Fathers and mothers, in the home, husbands and wives in their relationship, siblings and friends, and all of us as brothers and sisters have power with our words, either to encourage and build up or to tear down and destroy. Most churches are split because of an unbridled gossipping tongue among the body that destroys like a wildfire. So a father in the home, you have the most influence and power with your tongue for good or evil, a mother also has great influence and power, older siblings to younger siblings have great power. And whatever level of influence you have in your life will bring a stricter level of judgment for how you used your words for those under your influence. It is a very serious thing to lead others into sin, and a greeting blessing and responsibility to lead them in discipleship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Humility, v. 2<\/b><\/p>\n

So James gives us the accountability to use our tongues correctly in light of a judgment, and then he also seeks to temper our tongues with a dose of humility, saying in verse 2, that we all stumble in many ways. So often it is with our tongues that we castigate others for their stumblings, forgetting our own faults. And many may desire to teach in order to tell everyone else how wrong they are. But James would have us be bridles with humility, reminding us of our own stumbling, as he even shows this humility by including himself, saying, \u201cWE all stumble in many ways\u2026\u201d Calvin says some good things on this passage including saying, \u201cNothing does more to temper extreme severity than recognizing our own weakness.\u201d So often those who speak with severity toward others fail to remember their own weaknesses. This does us good in taming the tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, many times we read the rest of verse 2 and read it as a further slam against us all because we take perfect to mean sinless perfection when it says, \u201c…anyone who does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.\u201d And in one sense this is true. We all stumble at times in what we say, and none of us are perfect in that sense. But the way James has been using the word \u201cperfect\u201d is to mean \u201cmaturity.\u201d And reading it as a general maxim that \u201che who does not stumble in what we says is a mature man, able to bridle the whole body,\u201d actually makes the most sense with the rest of the passage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Small things have great effects, v. 3-7<\/b><\/p>\n

For in verse 3-7 James shows what it means to bridle the whole body. He gives us several word-pictures here, returning first to the bit in the mouth of a horse. It is a small bit in the mouth, that tames and directs a great and mighty horse, that man can tell it where to go and how fast to go. It is a great mystery to see such a magnificent thing. It is wisdom to know that a small bit directs the whole body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Or consider a great ship. Look at them, James says. They are large and powerful, driven by strong winds, more mighty than any man, but it is the small rudder that directs such a magnificent vessel where to go. It is a great mystery to see a powerful battleship move across the waters, and it is wisdom to know the small little rudder directs and wisdom to know how to use it.<\/span><\/p>\n

In like manner, the tongue is but a very small member of the body, and yet with it great things are done, mountains are moved and thrown into the sea. With it, one’s body is encouraged and strengthened to endure, or one is broken hearted and destroyed. With it, one may be spurred on to love and good works, or with it, led into sin and death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These examples of the bit in the mouth of the horse or the rudder on a great ship are positive examples as James gives them, of the taming of such great vessels. Look at the good the tongue can do!<\/span><\/p>\n

But James also shows us a negative example of the power of such a small member. Just as the tongue can do great things when bridled and tamed, it can also do great evil and destruction. Like a small spark can set a whole forest ablaze, so the tongue is a fire, one that can stain the whole body and course of life. This is the wisdom of Jesus, as Matthew 15:18 says, \u201cBut what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And this tongue of destructive fire, is not only what proceeds from the heart, but is also set on fire by hell James tells us. The battle of the tongue is a spiritual battle. We often think little of it, but we ought to understand it is a great war, one we must fight with the righteous words of God The tongue is basically like a portal through which the blessings of heaven can nourish a hearer, or through which the fires of hell may destroy all in its path. This is imagery which James gets from the Proverbs. Proverbs 16:27 says, \u201cA worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the tongue is a restless evil, a fire, a world of unrighteousness, so often it is because of an unbridled tongue that our lives are chaotic and disordered. So Calvin says, \u201cIf we wish to keep our lives in good order, we must give the greatest attention to controlling our tongue, for it is the most lethal member we possess.\u201d Yet we need not despair, for we know that there are good uses for fire as well, and those good uses for fire require the maturity and wisdom for knowing how to control a fire. The difference between warming oneself by a fire and burning down a forest with fire, is the wisdom and ability to control that fire. What we need is wisdom, maturity, and self-control by the grace of God. In keeping step with the themes of James, it is when we are angry, when are facing testing, or persecution, or injustices, that we want to lash out with our tongues, thinking that our words of fire can bring down judgment and make things right. But James is like a mature older brother teaching us that that thing in our mouths that wants to run wild is a flame of fire, you must control it. You must learn to be quiet. You must learn to wait on the Lord and be patient. Practice self-control. If you do not you will destroy not only yourself but everyone you love.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fathers, resist the temptation to exasperate your children with constant angry words, your tongue is a flame of fire. Wives, don\u2019t destroy your homes out of frustration for how things are, your tongue is a flame of fire. Young men, boys, don\u2019t say everything that comes into your mind. Don\u2019t rebel against your fathers with your words. It is a flame of fire. Young ladies, girls, don\u2019t tear each other apart for jealousy or envy with your words of gossip. Your tongue is a flame of fire. We can\u2019t control that flame like we think we can. Instead, know the power of the tongue, and use it for good. Fathers, lead your sons, your entire home to the Lord admonishing them in Christ with the word of God. Tell your sons you love them. Praise your wife at the gates. Wives and mothers, let your words be a fruitful vine, not a biting serpent of criticism, and see your husband be encouraged and see your children rise up and call you blessed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taming the Tongue, v. 7-8<\/b><\/p>\n

In verse 7-8, James speaks more of taming the tongue by relating it to the fact that men have been able to tame all kinds of wild beasts, even birds and creatures of the sea, and even serpents, the enemy of mankind. We\u2019ve all seen or heard of dolphin trainers, or an eagle trainer, and even cobra charmers. These are incredible feats. Amazing acts of dominion. And yet James says, but no human being can tame the tongue. Taming the tongue is harder than taming a wild beast. But at this, James does not want us to despair, but to run to Christ. Run to Him who forgives us of our sins, including all our sins of the tongue. Run to Him who can tame the tongue, Who can give us new tongues. Run to Him Whose Spirit He gives to all His people, Whose Spirit is righteous tongues of fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison, James says. This reminds us of the garden, just as the taming of animals does, for it reminds us of the poison of the serpent\u2019s tongue, whose tongue was set on fire by hell. There in the garden the serpent planted the poison seeds of deception and lies. And when we use our tongues for evil and cursing we are doing the same. The seed of the serpent, the wicked and evil persons have serpentine tongues of poison. These are the opposite of the good words of creation, when God spoke and created the world. The serpent\u2019s poison tongue comes to destroy what God made good. Psalm 140:3, \u201cThey make their tongue sharp as a serpent\u2019s, and under their lips is the venom of asps.\u201d Romans 3:13, \u201cTheir throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But if poison tongues are the offspring of the serpent, we know the promise that the seed of the woman will crush and bruise the serpent\u2019s head. We know that the teeth of the wicked will be broken. And Jesus can break our wicked teeth. Jesus can tame our tongue of poison and give us a new one.<\/span><\/p>\n

James\u2019 illustration of taming wild beasts while we are unable to tame the tongue shows us that this salvation does not come from ourselves, it does not come from man. Rather than despair, we have hope and confidence that salvation comes from outside of ourselves. If we look within ourselves we will not and cannot find it. It is not there. But it is in Jesus Christ, the God-Man, who comes to crush the serpent and redeem His people, and redeem all of His people including their tongues. I love the way Augustine puts it, \u201cThe horse does not tame itself, nor does a man do so. A man is needed in order to tame a horse, and in the same way, God is needed in order to tame a man.\u201d The fact that no man can tame the tongue is not to despair, but to show us our need for Christ, that it is only God who tames man.<\/span><\/p>\n

And as one commentator puts it, we can think of it this way: The initial way mankind tamed every beast was by his tongue, naming them and asserting dominion over them. Ironically, that which man uses to tame the beasts and exercise rule over creation is itself untamable. But one of the ways the prophets describe the Last Adam, Jesus Christ, is as one who bridles His own tongue. Isaiah 53:7 says, \u201cHe was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.\u201d This shows us that Jesus succeeded where Adam failed. He tamed His tongue and did not stumble in what He said. Jesus is the mature man, able also to bridle his whole body. His body is not just his physical body, but His bride, His body, the church. His word builds us up and makes us, bridles us, matures us, sanctifies us. So shall the words of Isaiah be true in the work of Jesus, \u201cFor as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there ut water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it\u201d (Isaiah 55:10-11). And so through Jesus taming us, and maturing us, the Church is the body of Christ on earth, taming the tongue, speaking the word of God, righteously judging and blessing the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Duplicity, v. 9-12<\/b><\/p>\n

The final parable that James gives us in verse 9-12 is that of nature. It ought not to be that both cursing and blessing come from the same mouth because a spring does not put forth both fresh and saltwater at the same time. A fig tree cannot bear olives, nor can a grapevine produce figs. Nor can a salt pond yield fresh water. Look at nature! What does it tell you? This is again the idea that what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart. Our words betray our hearts and everyone can hear who we really are. Now, this is not to say that so much that if we ever stumble in our words then we are showing we are an unbeliever, for all stumble in many ways. But it is to show that we can\u2019t do both at the same time! If we are cursing we are not blessing. And our purpose is to glorify God in all things, and to praise and bless His name. That is our purpose, and if we are cursing we are not doing what we were made to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Again Calvin says, \u201c…a cursing tongue is\u2026alien to the rest of nature, subversive of the order everywhere appointed by God.\u201d And Thomas Manton says, \u201cNature abhors hypocrisy; contrary effects from the same cause are against the way God orders matters in creation.\u201d And so creation groans, waiting for redemption.<\/span> The work of Jesus is to remove the curse so far as it is found. Know who you are in God\u2019s story and what your purpose is and be a spring of life and praise with your tongue. If you struggle with your tongue, pray and ask the Lord to deliver you and to redeem your tongue. Pray with the Psalmist, \u201cSet a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Click HERE for sermon audio Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.\u00a02\u00a0For\u00a0we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says,\u00a0he is a perfect man,\u00a0able also to bridle his whole body.\u00a03\u00a0If we put\u00a0bits into […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":685,"featured_media":6566,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1582],"tags":[2020,59,182,205,277,1501,500,672,678,699,2022,842,2021,1114,1153,2018,2010,2019,1362],"class_list":{"0":"post-6565","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sermon","8":"tag-1-12","9":"tag-59","10":"tag-beast","11":"tag-bible","12":"tag-christian","13":"tag-dominion","14":"tag-fire","15":"tag-james","16":"tag-jenkins","17":"tag-joshua","18":"tag-lips","19":"tag-mouth","20":"tag-rudder","21":"tag-sermon","22":"tag-small","23":"tag-taming","24":"tag-tongue","25":"tag-wild","26":"tag-words","27":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/06\/Cowgirls-Design-Yee-Haw.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1368,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/a-short-practical-guide-to-preaching\/","url_meta":{"origin":6565,"position":0},"title":"A Short, Practical Guide to Preaching","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"April 21, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"There is not a one size fits all method or structure of preaching. There are many ways to study, structure, and faithfully deliver the Word of God to God\u2019s people. That being said, I will mention three important elements to consider in your study and delivery of God\u2019s Word. You\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"bible\"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/tag\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2017\/04\/pulpit.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1107,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/reasons-for-not-evaluating-a-sermon\/","url_meta":{"origin":6565,"position":1},"title":"Reasons for Not Evaluating a Sermon","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"August 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Preaching is serious business. So is listening to a sermon. 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Is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"bible\"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/tag\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2017\/05\/268.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2017\/05\/268.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2017\/05\/268.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6504,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/bad-religion\/","url_meta":{"origin":6565,"position":3},"title":"Bad Religion","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"May 29, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Click HERE for sermon audio If anyone thinks he is religious\u00a0and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's\u00a0religion is worthless.\u00a027\u00a0Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/05\/0aed084c3c12dd48ea8afa882f1cbd27-cowboy-tattoos-cowboy-art.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/05\/0aed084c3c12dd48ea8afa882f1cbd27-cowboy-tattoos-cowboy-art.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/05\/0aed084c3c12dd48ea8afa882f1cbd27-cowboy-tattoos-cowboy-art.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6679,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/catechism-on-the-book-of-james\/","url_meta":{"origin":6565,"position":4},"title":"Catechism on the Book of James","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"August 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I wrote this catechism on James as I recently worked my way preaching through it. It is not a theological or systematic catechism. It is simply a catechism on the book of James, using mostly the language of James himself, to help one remember the contents of the book. Chapter\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "theology"","block_context":{"text":"theology","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/theology\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/08\/300px-Saint_James_the_Just.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6468,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/the-father-of-lights\/","url_meta":{"origin":6565,"position":5},"title":"The Father of Lights","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"April 29, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Click HERE for sermon audio Let no one say when he is tempted, \u201cI am being tempted by God,\u201d for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.\u00a014\u00a0But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.\u00a015\u00a0Then desire\u00a0when it has conceived\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/04\/660b56bb3be13f277116f690c44a8f9e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/04\/660b56bb3be13f277116f690c44a8f9e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/04\/660b56bb3be13f277116f690c44a8f9e.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/685"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6565"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6565\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}