James 3:2 (NKJV), “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”

Never underestimate the power of your words. James goes on to explain that just as a little spark can set an entire forest ablaze, the tongue, being the smallest member of our bodies, has the power to send our entire life up in flames!  James calls the person who is able to not stumble in words, a perfect man. Now of course, we know no-one is perfect, and so it’s easy to shrug our shoulders and assume we will never reach that requirement. After all, a few verses down from this one it says it’s impossible for man to control or tame the tongue. The truth of the matter is what’s impossible to do in our own strength - is absolutely possible by the power of God. A mind that is constantly being renewed to God’s Word is trained to think the thoughts of God. So, when we have trained or programmed our minds to be in agreement with, and believe God’s Word, and we are faced with challenging circumstances, our reaction to them will be what aligns with the Word. So instead of us speaking words that are negative and agree with what we see or hear or feel in the natural realm, we speak words that are full of faith. Those words of faith always produce life and peace - no matter how dangerous or discouraging the problem. In fact, our words of faith, spoken from the true conviction of what we hold to, are far more powerful than the trouble we face. That’s because they carry the supernatural flow of God in them. Now, when James said a man who doesn’t stumble in word is perfect - he is saying, the man who has trained his mind to think in line with the Word and only speaks what’s in agreement with it - in times of testing - he is spiritually mature. With this maturity comes the ability to control his entire body. Instead of our bodies dictating to us, we are able to have them (our bodies) come in line with the truth of God’s Word. Praise God! When we think the thoughts of God, they are carried on our words of faith and will cause His life and peace to dominate every part of our lives.