The bible makes it clear that we all carry a highly dangerous weapon - the tongue. Various analogies are used to describe the devastating power of our words. The tongue is portrayed as a poisonous dart or the venomous bite of a viper. As we see in the notes today, it can be like a spark that starts a forest fire. The Psalms picture the tongue as a sharpened razor
(Ps 52:2) and a sword (Ps 64). Proverbs (16:27) also pictures the tongue as a wildfire: ‘A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire’.
As we look at James’ words – (and notice the amount of imagery he uses; there are more pictures in his one letter than in all of Paul’s writings combined) he wants us to know that the tongue must be tamed.
James tells us that the tongue has power to set the direction of our lives - what we say affects our present and our future negatively or positively.
‘Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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.’ (James 3:1-4)
James shows how big things are controlled by small things. In his day horses and ships were the largest forms of transport – they were and are controlled by little things like bits and rudders. Words matter. They change everything.
The medieval Catholic scholar Estius said: ‘Though nature has hedged it in with a double barrier of the lips and teeth, it bursts from its barriers to assail and ruin men’
‘I have never been hurt by anything I did not say’ – Calvin Coolidge
‘A closed mouth gathers no foot’ – Mark Twain
A final word from the apostle Paul:
‘Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ’. (Eph 4:31-32 GNB)
A prayer:
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. Amen.