How we speak to others will either be life-giving or soul debilitating. James urges caution in the usage of our words. He appeals directly to our hearts and minds to duct tape a sign on our tongue that says, “Caution: Handle With Care.” God has given humans dominion over things created. As a result, we are able to exert control over such things. But we have a problem: what about the tongue? James highlights our inability to regulate such a small part of our human constitution, “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, (8) but no human being can tame the tongue…” (v7-8). Bottomline, it is impossible to have dominion over our words without God, for self-control is a divine work of the Spirit (Gal 5:23).
Now James turns his focus specifically to the Christian. His audience is the church by which his exhortations are directed. Remember, a Christian has two natures: One of the “old” man that ruled over us in life of sin before Jesus, and the “new” man of the Spirit that inhabits all believers (Eph 4:22-24). These two are at constant war within us (Gal 5:17), as they are opposed to each other. This is the reason James spotlights that we are capable of speaking out of both natures with the same one tongue, “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. (10) from the same mouth come blessings and curses…” (v9-10). Therefore, James appeals, “…My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
Our words can be restrained by God. This is possible when we yield and obey the Spirit who has heaven’s power to shape and temper our minds which gives birth (conceives) our thoughts. It has a purging effect on our hearts that offer refuge for such ungodliness before words ever come out of our mouths. James does not want the Christian to live a life of contradiction. Good and evil should not spring forth from what we say, no more should a salt pond yield fresh water. The starting place is the mind and the heart. We should pray that God reign over both so that we use it for the praise of God and the edification of man to His glory. Let us petition God’s aid as David does, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Ps 19:14). Let us embrace the exhortations of Paul, “Let no corrupt talk come out of your 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). Let us with fear and trembling consider the wisdom of Solomon, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it break the spirit” (Prv 15:4). Why do we do this? Out of love for the glory of God. Amen!
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com