James 3:1 – Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring. (NLT)
The Book of James is a wonderful biblical book for exploring practical ways to live out the faith we have in a Triune God. While James begins this section speaking about teachers in the church, the Word of God speaks to all Christians. In this passage, James speaks about the words we use. Verse ten is powerful: “And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!”
It saddens me when I hear the way some Christians speak to and of one another. I have always believed that the words we use speak volumes about our relationship with God. If we are nurturing our relationship with God, it will change our words! My father used to tell me: “If you can’t improve on the silence, don’t break it.” I believe this is good advice. It is often those closest to us that receive the brunt of our cutting words, especially when spoken out of anger. Ephesians 4:31 tells us to get rid of rage, anger, and all harsh words. Jesus said in Matthew 7:3 – “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” When we are quick to see faults in others, but have not gotten rid of harsh words spoken in anger, we have a log in our eye!
I mentioned earlier about faith in our Triune God. Remember, God is available to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:17, Jesus promises us that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. In John 14:26, Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of all we need to know. Let us seek the power of the Holy Spirit, asking the Spirit to help us choose our words wisely.
Today, let us allow others to see Jesus by the way we speak. Let us not speak words that tear down, instead let our words truly encourage and strengthen one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Posted by Ramón Torres
Sadly so appropriate for our times, particularly politically when politicians and some Christian use words to inflame emotions. Usually negative feelings of anger and hate, completely contrary to what Jesus taught us. God forgive us for what we have done to Your World Your Church and each other. 🙏🙏🙏