January 12, 2023
Have you ever had someone say something that really hurt you? What about the other way around. Have you ever said something and then realized that you really hurt someone with your words? I recently had an interaction with a good friend. I needed to talk with them about something that was difficult but I didn’t do it in a very kind way. I love and care about them enough to address the situation but the words I used were harsh. I immediately felt awfully as I could see that my words hurt them. That’s the thing about words, they are powerful. They can encourage and build up but even more quickly they can tear someone down. James talks about this in chapter 3. Let’s look at it together today.
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
James is warning us and encouraging us to use our words in a way that builds up n to tears down. Our tongues are powerful. I think too often we speak carelessly. Maybe we don’t intend to hurt others but we don’t put enough thought into what we say and how we say it. I needed to address the issue with my friend, but I could have done it in a much better way. Today and every day remember the power of your words and work to use them to pour life into others.
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave