Devotional Thoughts | James Pt. 7
Danger of the Untamed Tongue
As we begin looking at James 3 we want to remember in chapter 2 James said; “Faith without works is dead.” This is especially important as James addresses the issue of accountability. Specifically, he addresses the responsibility of being a teacher, and the accountability for our words.
James 3:1 – 12 1 Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a [a]stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in [b]what he says, he is a perfect man, able to [c]rein in the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. 4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
It seems natural when we have been taught well by others, that we want to pass on the information we have received so others may benefit from what we have learned. In fact, there was, years ago, an evangelism strategy which used the phrase; Each one reach one, each one teach one. However, James warns against many teachers in the Body of Christ. The warning is based on the danger of having faith without works. Or we might say, knowledge without practical application. The reason for the warning is the accountability which comes with being a teacher. James positions himself as a teacher as he gives this admonition. Note verse 2 states that “all” make many mistakes and indicates the source of the mistakes are the result of misspeaking.
No doubt growing up we all heard the old expression; “Sticks and stones may break some bones, but word will never harm you.” The fact is this is false. Words are powerful and can be very harmful. Because of that, James admonishes us to control our tongues stating if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could control ourselves in every other way.
As a good teacher, James illustrates the power of the tongue by using several analogies drawn from daily living.
1 The horse and the bit
2 The ship and the rudder
3 The spark and the forest fire
We easily understand what James is saying as we are most likely familiar with one or all of the illustrations. In each illustration, the small item, whether the bit, the rudder or the spark has tremendous power. If used properly there is great potential for good. However, if used improperly, or abused, the results will be disastrous.
As we look at verses 7 – 12 James gets to the heart of the matter.
Even though we have the knowledge to train all kinds of animals, the tongue is untamable.
It is described as restless, evil and full of deadly poison.
Sometimes it praises the Heavenly Father, sometimes it curses those who are made in the image of God.
Blessing and cursing comes out of the same mouth, and as James states emphatically, “…this is not right!”
You can’t have it both ways. A spring of water doesn’t bring forth both sweet and bitter water. A fig tree can’t produce olives, and a grapevine can’t produce figs. Neither can you draw fresh water from a salty spring.
It almost seems James has pointed out a problem without providing a solution. So, what are we to do? Let me close with a couple of Scripture verses which speak to this matter.
Luke 6:45
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Proverbs 25:11
Like apples of gold in settings of silver, Is a word spoken at the proper time.