James 3

James 3 is about the power of our tongue and he continues to discuss more about living out our faith and seeking Heavenly wisdom.

James discusses how those who are teachers within the church will be judged by God more strictly when their time of judgment comes. In my opinion, I would assume that this extends to Christians in general who are teaching within a church or those who are of influence outside of the church as well. Basically, we need to be aware of how we are being perceived as followers of Christ through our words and actions. The tough part is that we all stumble and get tripped up easily and that sin hinders our relationship with the Lord. He talks about how pretty much everyone stumbles in word. A commentary gives examples of what it means to stumble in word: boasting, exaggeration, selective reporting, criticism, gossip, being two-faced, anger, flattery, use of insincere words to gain favor. I think we can all confidently say that we struggle with one or many of these stumbling, I definitely do.

This leads to...

The power of the tongue:

James gives analogies of a bit to a horse and a rudder to a ship as a comparison of the tongue and body. Something so small can be extremely powerful. The words spoken can have massive impact on a person's life. There have been many stories and accounts of words spoken against someone that has affected them for years and years. On the flip side, encouragement spoken over someone can also impact someone positively and inspire them for years and years.

Verses regarding words:

• Proverbs 10:19-21

• Proverbs 12:25

• Proverbs 16:24

• Proverbs 18:21

Taming the tongue...it's tough:

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3: 7-8)

This is why we need to heavily rely on the Holy Spirit to tame our tongue, we are incapable of doing it on our own. It's important that we ask God to guide our tongue and use it for good and not for destruction. Speaking without wisdom and discernment is very dangerous and can lead to deadly and poisonous speech.

We use our tongue to bless and praise the Creator of the universe and with the same tongue we use it to curse men. How crazy?! But James says, it shouldn't be like that. We should constantly be glorifying God with our tongue and asking ourselves "Is what I am about to say going to glorify God?". He talks about how springs do not yield both salt and fresh water and also about a fig tree bearing olives, it's an impossible contradiction and can only be one or the other. Similarly, that is the tongue to Christians. Are we to call ourselves Christians but then use our tongue with deadly, poisonous speech?

James then goes on to discuss wisdom and living out our faith.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)

Wisdom is not being book smart, instead we demonstrate wisdom and understanding by our good works. True wisdom is shown by good works in meekness, or gentle humility, not to bring attention or boasting about it, which would actually show a lack of wisdom. Earthly wisdom is sensual and demonic and shows bitter envy and self-seeking. It leads to confusion and every evil thing, which is the fruit of worldly wisdom.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3: 17-18)

This is the wisdom from above, the wisdom that we should ask God to teach us and equip us with.

Takeaway: On judgement day, we will have to give an account for every word spoken. Our tongue is powerful, both positively and destructively. We are to yield our tongue to glorify God and lift others up but we cannot do this on our own and need to partner with the Holy Spirit to give us heavenly wisdom and to guide our tongue.