James 3: November 22—Watch your language

Nov 5, 2009
By WILEY RICHARDS

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Our major senses such as eye, ear, and nose are known by the function they perform. If we think of vision, we think of the eye, of sound, we think of the ear, and of odor, the nose.

Language of course presupposes the tongue, the organ of taste. But the tongue stands by itself. We cannot always decide what we see, hear, or smell, but we can control what we say. Language, a production mainly of the tongue, stands all by itself as one of the five senses. The impact of the tongue is the production of language is incalculable. We will study five brief reasons why we should watch our language.

We note first the tongue as instructor (vv. 1-2). The admonition to church members not to be “many masters” reflects the teaching of Jesus recorded in Matthew 8, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” The Jews of Jesus’ day aspired to the preeminent positions in their society, adopting imposing titles and arranging to be placed in positions of prominence at social gatherings. The rabbi was greatly respected. Leaders today must necessarily be held to higher standards of accountability because any error they might teach can lead countless numbers of people astray. One of my seminary professors understood. He said, “As long as students question my lectures, I don’t worry because they are thinking. When they get quiet and listen intently, I have to remember they are believing what I say.” James realized that some of us must teach. He said, “We shall receive the greater condemnation.” God holds us accountable for what we teach. Any teacher who does not offend by what is taught shows evidence of maturity, able to hold the tongue in check (v. 7).

We turn next to the tongue’s boastfulness (vv. 3-6). The Bible introduces two illustrations to point our the tongue’s strategic role in forming opinions, the bits in a horse’s mouth, and the small helms of ships which steer ocean vessels. At the captain’s command, the helmsman sets the helm toward the desired compass setting.

Two applications follow. The Bible likens the tongue to a small blaze which can expand to devour great tracts of land. Think of the disastrous fires in both Florida and California. Similarly, the tongue can make great boasts causing disruptions in families and societies. How can it cause such damage? Simple. The tongue “is set on fire of hell.” Its boasts are demonic in origin.

The Bible then turns attention to the tongue’s restlessness (vv. 7-12). The Bible calls it “an unruly evil.” Some translations call it an unrestrainable, or untamable evil. Unlike cattle, horses, cats and dogs, the tongue cannot be domesticated. Like a rattlesnake with its death-dealing venom, the tongue is full of deadly poison.

The Bible illustrates its death-dealing impact. The same tongue blesses God the Father in prayer but then pronounces damnation on people made in the image of God. Such loathsomeness violates the order of nature. A fountain does not produce both sweet water and bitter. A fig tree does not bear olive berries, nor a vine, but figs.

The discussion then centers on the tongues options (vv. 13-16). In spite of the tongue’s propensity toward evil, Christians nevertheless have choices. We do not admire the people who always say what they think in spite of the fact they see that as a virtue. By the lives they live they produce works (ministries) which demonstrate wisdom.

It is fitting that we climax this discussion with the tongue at worship (vv. 17-18). One kind of wisdom comes from the earth, even from hell’s wisdom (v. 15). In contrast the wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, easily persuaded by the good, full of mercy, and good fruits, devoid of partiality and hypocrisy. Believers’ lives prove the tongue does not have the final say. These peacemakers exhibit the same qualities of God-likeness spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peace makers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

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