James 3:1-12
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
What does the Passage say?
V. 1-5 James tells us the power a tongue might have. Furthermore, he says that a tongue can control our whole life.
V. 6-8 Then he talks about the danger of a tongue. He says, “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire. And the tongue is a fire” (V. 6 NRSV).
V. 9-12 He says that the tongue cannot be tamed. However, the irony is that we praise and curse with this same instrument.
What does the Passage say to me/us?
We need to remember that what we say is very important. We live in a world, where people do not understand the power of words. Sarcasm and negativity surround us like a wildfire. We might all be suffocating in negativity.
However, the point James is conveying is that we need to make a difference in this world. It does not start with sharing vain compliments. It starts with praising our Lord. When our heart is focused on our Lord, and our words continue in praise, we will learn what not to say. Then we will get to see God sees others, and eventually see the image of God in their lives. Our words should help them see the image of God. And our world should be words that saves.
It definitely is a hard task. We just need to start in the right direction. And we pray that God’s grace will sanctify our tongues.
Prayer
Lord, watch every word we say. May we only praise you and love others with our tongues.
In Christ name, AMEN
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