Jamesspeaks to us in chapter 3 regarding our speech and reminds us to guard our tonguefor our words can make a great impression. Although James is speaking to the teachersof the time we can see this has a lot to do with our world today.
Although the penmay be mightier than the sword we can easily find through no means that we would likethat the spoken word is even mightier than the greatest pen. The power of persuasionas spoken by one with eloquent speech is something great to observe. It is easy tosee this by example in the great amount of politics that takes place in our countrytoday. It is very important however to realize the long lasting impact our speechcan have both for us and for others.
Familyand Friends
The first place our words should be guarded is in our close relationships. Peoplewho hold us dear are more likely to take the things we say and act upon them if wordsare direction and to heart if they are words of kindness or hate. We must be mindfulthat the advice and knowledge we give to family and friends is sound both ethicallyand doctrinally for by the very act of being a friend or family member we have creditworthinessin the eyes of those who we also deem family and friends. Many problems with marriageexist today because husbands and wives do not know how to guard their tongue and rememberthat words spoken in the heat of the moment are never easily removed neither by timeor circumstances. We should all love one another as we wish to be loved and speakto others accordingly.
Inthe Workplace and in Life
Anyonein a leadership role must remember their influence on others and as such speak thetruth, speaking words of true wisdom bound by the Bible. In life we should not havea proud heart bragging to everyone at any chance we get. Instead we should be humbleand do our best to serve others. In being humble in our spirit and words we give animage of Christ to the world. The words we speak make a mark on others and are usedas a measure of our faith. If we are heard cursing and saying untruthful things, gossiping,and saying other manners of evil then those around us will not see Christ in us butfar the opposite. Let us instead proclaim Christ through our words and actions.
James3: The Tongue Is a Fire
1(A)Letnot many of you become teachers, (B)mybrethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
2Forwe all (C)stumblein many ways (D)Ifanyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a (E)perfectman, able to (F)bridlethe whole body as well.
3Now (G)ifwe put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct theirentire body as well.
4Lookat the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are stilldirected by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
5Soalso the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it (H)boastsof great things (I)Seehow great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6And (J)thetongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our membersas that which (K)defilesthe entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by (L)hell.
7Forevery species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamedand has been tamed by the human race.
8Butno one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of (M)deadlypoison.
9Withit we bless (N)ourLord and Father, and with it we curse men, (O)whohave been made in the likeness of God;
10fromthe same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought notto be this way.
11Doesa fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
12(P)Cana fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt waterproduce fresh.
