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Our Words – James 3
Our Words – James 3
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words — those will kill you. They kill the spirit. They kill friendships. They start wars. They destroy character. They split churches. Though ‘small’, as far as body parts go, the tongue holds great power and causes great damage. Though small, the tongue is very difficult to control.
If we would be mature (complete, perfect), we must learn to control our tongue. We can choose what and when we say something, but after it is said, we are then unable to control what effects it produces. You choose your actions but not the consequences.
Those who don’t control the tongue are showing their real character. The words of our mouth are the fruit of our heart. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. Thus, we are to let ‘no corrupt talk come out’ of our mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29). We are to put away ‘all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking” (Eph. 4:31).
Here, James instructs us: “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge” (James 4:11).
Therefore, let me be swift to hear and slow to speak. Let me measure my words and their effect BEFORE I release them to do their work. Lord, help me to bridle my tongue.
Oh, by the way… did you hear about….
- “A false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:19).
- “The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18).
- “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body” (Proverbs 18:8).
- “The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks” (Proverbs 25:23).
- “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases”(Proverbs 26:20).
Are you controlling your tongue?
Hugh DeLong
