Based on James 3 (New King James Version)
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 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. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 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.”
The most basic things in life ultimately help define us as people, such as what we say and what we do. No matter how much things continue evolving, everything can be brought down to the simplest of things. There are folks that have much (more than they know what to do with) and there are those that have some. And of course, there are those that have nothing. Yet, if you strip all of the material stuff away, all that is left is a person. In a similar fashion, there are those that are very well educated, somewhat educated, and barely know how to read. Yet, if you take that all away as well, all you have left is a person. What helps bring things to perspective is when a person reaches their end. I have seen very wealthy and well-known individuals reach the end of their days, and very few people remember them or even think about them. Their degrees or wealth cannot take away the reality that they will return to the same place they came from, sooner or later: from the dust we came, and to the dust we shall return. In the grand scheme of things, we are just people; flesh and blood; nothing more and nothing less. So, what are we supposed to do? What matters is what we say and do, regardless of what our situation or status may be.
In today’s passage, we read both concepts. The first one is regarding what we say. Some people may say that words do not really matter, or that they said something during an argument that they really didn’t mean. If something comes out of your mouth at any given moment, it is revealing what is in your heart. For it is written: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45. Words mean something. In reality, they mean a lot. Not everything comes out just because. Some people even say what they want to say jokingly so it is not taken too harshly. Others don’t care and just say whatever comes to them. The inner message is conveyed in different ways. But the important thing to keep in mind is that we should pay attention to what we say; not just because of what it may do to someone; but just as important, we have to understand for our own good what is contained within our own heart. The root of the problem is not necessarily the small organ called the tongue. What the passage is trying to help us think about is that this tiny little element in our mouth is transmitting something that is contained deep within us. For it is also written: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Matthew 15:18-20. Many people don’t pay attention to what they say and there may be many reasons for that. Some just don’t care, so that reveals arrogance and pride. Some do it deliberately. Others do it “accidentally”, but it causes harm, so that would illustrate irresponsibility; or, they just could not put the brakes on their evil thoughts because there is too much of an overflow. Regardless of the situation, if there is an overflow of wrong that is coming out of your mouth, you shouldn’t take it lightly. There is a deep problem that you have grown oblivious to.
On the other hand, some people are fantastic with their words. They know how to say just the right thing to convince and control situations to their benefit. They can ad lib with the best of them. There are people that try to be so good with their words that they will try to make you feel guilty for something wrong they did. Know anyone like that? The world is full of “victims” and “schemers” unfortunately. And with that, we have to pay attention to their actions. For it is also written: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14,17. So even if someone talks a good game, the only way to identify them is by their actions. We should all consider what we are “doing” as well. And not only what we are doing, but why we do what we do. The intent is just as important as the action itself.
Where great things can happen is when we can change the wrong things that we say and do; by allowing God to transform us inside out. That happens by surrendering to Him completely; without any reservations; and allowing for the Holy Spirit and His Word to work in us. When that happens, our words and our actions will bring glory to God, and help those that are truly seeking after life and hope. The Truth in our lives will not be appealing to everyone, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that God knows everything and those that truly want to live (those that look beyond this physical and fallen world) will find life through those that choose to listen, obey, and follow Christ. So, is the intent of your heart focused on bringing glory to God through what you are “saying” and “doing”? Lord bless! John