James 3 - Taming the Tongue!

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Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their 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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James continues to focus on practical matters, which were important for the church's health and effectiveness. He warns teachers that they have a higher standard to live up to, because they represent God in a different way than others do. When you publicly represent God and your words and actions don't match up, it is a big problem. Not only do you lose credibility with your flock, but it can also lead people away from the church and even God. As with any authority that God has given us, we will be responsible for how we use it. 

Then, he focuses on the power of the tongue. He gives three analogies to illustrate the power of a tongue. A horse, a ship, and a forest. A horse is controlled by a bit. A ship is controlled by a rutter. A forest can be set on fire by a small spark. Such it is with the tongue. Though it may seem like an insignificant body part, the ramifications of not controlling it can be huge. The author says something profound at this point, 

"The tongue sets the whole course of one's life on fire." 

The fire of the tongue has been used to burn many. Children are told sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. But that child’s rhyme isn’t really true; the bitter pain of a word spoken against us can hurt us for a lifetime, long after a broken bone has healed. - Guzik

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

At the end of the day the way we speak shows the condition of our hearts. I know when my language is not very good, there is something going on within me. The tongue can be so tricky. On Sunday morning we can be praising God and then on Monday morning we can be gossiping around the coffee room. "Did you hear about what so and so did this weekend?"

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the 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 reap a harvest of righteousness.

James returns to issue discerning who they should be learning from.  How would one know if they were truly wise? James says the test for true wisdom is the fruit that comes from one's life. The first test he says are deeds done in humility and not for show. Secondly, he says godly wisdom is: pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, merciful and sincere. 

You can see the difference in what we might see as someone who is wise. We might think it is someone who has all the answers, or is a biblical scholar. While those things are not unimportant, one's life shows how wise they are. If someone is wise, then their life choices will reflect it. We might summarize by saying wisdom is not a set of righteous platitudes, but a way of life. My guess is that there were some in the church claiming to be wise, who were only spreading seeds of discord and dissension. They were marked by selfish ambition, ego, and pride. 

Where do you seek wisdom in your life? If you have people who you seek out for wisdom, do their lives reflect the wisdom they speak of? Does your tongue causes fires around you? How can controlling your tongue help you in your relationships with those around you? Do you build people up, or cut them down?