James 3: Taming the Tongue

James 3 is all about the tongue and the unseen power of words over our lives.

At first I thought it strange that James opened with a message about being a teacher.

 “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (verse 1) 

Teaching is something others need for guidance and mentoring. Why does he then launch into a chapter on the tongue, or the importance of the things we say? I think the short answer is that words are more central to our behavior than we realize. Our words direct our actions even when we don’t mean to. When you see yourself as a teacher to others it forces a rethink in how you speak to others, or at least it should.

James goes on to say that ships are turned by a small rudder. In the same way the tongue directs our actions. 

“The tongue is so set among our members it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; it is set on fire by hell.” (verse 6)

 This doesn’t just apply to the way we speak to others. That’s what really jumps out at first here, a warning to be nice to others and talk them up. For sure, we need to build up and not tear down but James is also talking about the negative words we say about ourselves, which is far more useful to me. I’m more careful about ripping others than I used to be. But it’s taken a while to speak positive, biblical truths about MY future and MY self-worth.

When I don’t see any movement on areas I’ve prayed over for years I get very disheartened and want to quit. A sense of ‘what’s the point’ can set in quickly as negativity forms bitter words. James isn’t impartial on the tongue. It’s clear to him that “No one can tame” it. Wisdom is key to controlling the words we use. Look to the Heavenly Father for direction and it will come out in the speech we use. It will bless others when we might want to curse them. It will build up where our instinct says to put down. It will renew our minds so our speech follows the direction we point it in. 

If the tongue is a rudder than we can control, only wisdom from above will provide the direction. Only God knows our course. We should point toward Him.

I’ve never thought of the tongue as something contrary to the Word of God. But negativity breeds negativity in speech. The opposite is also true with positive speech. James is saying is our thoughts aren’t as important as what we say. We can have evil foreboding thoughts but if we close them off before they reach the tongue it won’t have any effect. In other words control the thoughts before they turn into words. Steer them in the right direction.

How many times have I been frustrated with an employee over poor work habits or lazy behavior? When I allow those frustrations to stew I take it out on them, blast them for their worthlessness. How many times have a run myself down over silly mistakes? Reacting suddenly comes with baggage. Better to seek wisdom and take a few breaths. I guess that’s what being a teacher is about.