Daily Bread 2011 - James 3
Taming the Tongue
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
What Does This Mean?
Today, James turns his attention to the power of the tongue. He begins by reminding teachers they will be accountable for what they teach. This is a good reminder for anyone who presumes to teach for the Lord of how important a task they undertake. As we have all discovered at one time or another in our lives, once you say something you can’t take it back. I’m sure our politicians know this reality better than anyone, especially on the campaign trail.
In chapter 1, we were reminded to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Why? Because God wants to protect us from being quick-tongued. James uses the metaphor of our words being “like sparks that can set off forest fires”. One little word can set in motion the blaze that can do lots of damage. And then as Jesus teaches in the Sermon of the Mount, our words reveal our true heart condition. For the words we use are really a reflection of our hearts. As James says, “Can out of the same mouth come praising and cursing?”
What Does This Mean For Us?
This means the way we speak, the language we use, and how we use it reflect our true spiritual condition. Out of the overflow of the heart come our words. If we have a bitter heart, bitter words will come out! If our heart is filled with joy and praise, this will naturally spill out. Though we all have the choice of the words we will use and it is a matter of self-control, the only way to truly be in control is to be operating out of the power of the Spirit. Indeed the last fruit of the Spirit is “self-control”.
If your language does not reflect who you would like to be, there is a good chance your heart is need of some transformation. James says, “A salt spring cannot produce fresh water!” James urges us to pray to God to give His wisdom as a governor on how to use our words. And God’s wisdom yields these results: “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18
Gracious God send Your Holy Spirit and renew our hearts, so the words that come out of our mouths come out of hearts overflowing with your love and mercy. Then the world will know that we are from you and not saying one thing and uttering another. In Your Son’s name, Amen.
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
What Does This Mean?
Today, James turns his attention to the power of the tongue. He begins by reminding teachers they will be accountable for what they teach. This is a good reminder for anyone who presumes to teach for the Lord of how important a task they undertake. As we have all discovered at one time or another in our lives, once you say something you can’t take it back. I’m sure our politicians know this reality better than anyone, especially on the campaign trail.
In chapter 1, we were reminded to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Why? Because God wants to protect us from being quick-tongued. James uses the metaphor of our words being “like sparks that can set off forest fires”. One little word can set in motion the blaze that can do lots of damage. And then as Jesus teaches in the Sermon of the Mount, our words reveal our true heart condition. For the words we use are really a reflection of our hearts. As James says, “Can out of the same mouth come praising and cursing?”
What Does This Mean For Us?
This means the way we speak, the language we use, and how we use it reflect our true spiritual condition. Out of the overflow of the heart come our words. If we have a bitter heart, bitter words will come out! If our heart is filled with joy and praise, this will naturally spill out. Though we all have the choice of the words we will use and it is a matter of self-control, the only way to truly be in control is to be operating out of the power of the Spirit. Indeed the last fruit of the Spirit is “self-control”.
If your language does not reflect who you would like to be, there is a good chance your heart is need of some transformation. James says, “A salt spring cannot produce fresh water!” James urges us to pray to God to give His wisdom as a governor on how to use our words. And God’s wisdom yields these results: “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18
Gracious God send Your Holy Spirit and renew our hearts, so the words that come out of our mouths come out of hearts overflowing with your love and mercy. Then the world will know that we are from you and not saying one thing and uttering another. In Your Son’s name, Amen.
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