Today's Favorite Verse: James 3:5
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"
I reflected on how much trouble the little member of the body called the tongue can get into. Wars have started over some not able to hold their tongue. The greatest loss of control over it is pride. Pride has a way of humbling us, especially when our words come back to haunt us. The tongue really is in much need of control.
"We learn from James 3:5 that often “the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.” No thinking Latter-day Saint will permit his comments, attitudes, or expressions to be construed as boasting in his own strength. Those who persist in boasting fail to recognize the true sources of personal achievement.
History teaches us that those who boast in their own strength cannot have lasting success. Constantly we should be reminded that we must not boast of faith nor of mighty works, but instead should boast of God in his blessings and goodness to us. God will help us to understand that humility must be our foundation if the goodness of the Lord is to continue to come to and from us. The boasting man will certainly fall, because in his own strength no man endures. The boasting or conceited person in life is not expected by his peers to achieve great heights because he conveys an attitude he is already there.
One of the most common of all sins among worldly people is relying on and then boasting in the arm of flesh. This is a most serious evil. It is a sin born of pride, a sin that creates a frame of mind which keeps men from turning to the Lord and accepting his saving grace. When a man knowingly or unknowingly engages in self-exultation because of his riches, his political power, his worldly learning, his physical prowess, his business ability, or even his works of righteousness, he is not in tune with the Spirit of the Lord."
(Marvin J. Ashton, "Neither Boast of Faith Nor of Mighty Works", April 1990 General Conference)
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