14 Apr Recap | James | The Weight of Words

This weekend we took a look at what James has to say on taming the tongue. James begins chapter 3 by addressing teachers and reminding readers that those who teach are judged with a greater strictness. James doesn’t say this to scare people away from being pastors, but in the early church there were some people who saw teaching as a way to become “famous” and known within the church. James’ reminder is still relevant today, and it applies to more than just pastors specifically. Luke 12:48 tells us that those who are trusted with more knowledge, power, and resources are also called to bigger requirements and judged more strictly. Many of us who live in the United States have been given much more knowledge than most of the world, and we must remember that we will be judged according to the truth we have been shown.

In verse two, James starts off by stating the fact that everyone sins. He acknowledges that everyone struggles with different sins, but he then asserts that all people struggle with sins of the tongue. James describes how the tongue is small, yet a powerful director, like the bit in a horse’s mouth. He also compares the tongue to a small fire that has the power to set a whole forest ablaze. What James is trying to convey with all of these metaphors is that though the tongue is something so small, it has the power to create destruction and corrupt one’s whole life. Proverbs 18:6 says how a fool’s words get him into constant fights, yet  on the other side, Proverbs 15:4 says how gentle words bring life. The tongue and our words have the power to bring life or bring destruction, depending on how they are used.

James continues by describing how humans cannot tame the tongue and how the tongue is evil and vulnerable to demonic influences. In verse 9, James calls out the hypocrisy of blessing the Lord while also cursing His people who are made in His likeness. It is like saying, “I love this artist, but I hate his work.” There is something inherently wrong with cursing or slandering those whom God has created. There is a terrible divide between us and the Lord that leads to our mouths being a source of both curses and blessings.

The reason that the sins of the tongue are such a big concern is because the condition of our hearts is reflected in the words of our mouths. Matthew 7:17-20 tells how a bad tree cannot bear good fruit, and a good tree will not have bad fruit. In the same way, the words we speak are born from the condition of our heart. If we are full of gossip and slander and cruel words, there is not only the outward sin but also a deeper issue with our hearts. We come to Jesus with a deep need for new hearts, not just for disciplined hearts. And He, in His great mercy, offers total renewal and freedom for us in Him.

Applications:

1. What ways do I proactively use my tongue to edify and encourage?
2. Am I aware of even the idle/passing things I say?
3. What ways do I sin with my tongue? (there is a list of words and definitions here)

-Carly Caldwell