The Tongue and its Power? James 3.1-12

You got a chance to read James 3, (http://pastorwoman.com/ReadArchive.aspx?id=837) I trust, a power-packed treatise on the human tongue, and greater insight into godly wisdom. ‘Not many of you should become teachers, because as such is the stricter judgment,’ James began; the verse has caused me to shudder for many years now—for obvious reason!  First I was a classroom teacher, then a teacher of the Bible, so I understand God’s strident stance on the responsibility of those of us who influence others.  It has so much to do with the trust that folks place in ‘us’.  Think of the small child in elementary grades, or the new believer under the tutelage of a preacher/teacher/priest … wanting to learn, wanting to grow, and trusting.  The teacher must be trustworthy.  Indeed, the weightiness of teaching--especially God’s Word--is something that keeps me awake at night; it keeps me humble and dependent on God. 

In short order, James takes a breath, and admits though, that ‘we all stumble in many ways’—admitting, none of us is perfect, especially when it comes to being able to control what comes out of our mouths.  From there, he launches into the power of the tongue, giving us several easy to relate-to examples-- “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.  Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.  Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark”-- building to, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”   James spits out, ‘no man can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.’  Dang.

NOW, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE?

The tongue is a muscular organ in the human body—it does not have a brain or a will, so how does it have all this power?  WWJS what would jesus say? Well, let’s look what Jesus said!  Recorded in Matthew, chapter 12:  For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  And over in Luke chapter 6 - The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

So, where does the tongue get its power? 

Why, the tongue has no power!  It only utters what is in the heart and mind of its user! 

Think:  What comes out of your mouth?__________________________

What does that say about your heart?___________________________

I am going to leave it right there today, and ask you to examine what comes out of your mouth.  What does it say about the contents and condition of your heart?  Do your words breathe life to others or do they, more often-than-not, set things on fire?  Hmmm . . . Lord, search our hearts.

Grace and Peace,

Christine