"So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water?"
James 3:5-11

With this section of the Letter of James, we sense the author wading into sensitive territory. Who among us hasn't been hurt by careless words? Who among us hasn't relived a painful confrontation, wishing beyond hope that we could take back hastily, carelessly spoken words? James touches on a profound truth here. Our tongue has great power - both for good and for evil. The words of our mouths also betray us and our spiritual condition. We know this, and we have each experienced this. But the author of James pushes believers on this point. No excuse of "I just can't help - I have to express myself - I can't help how I feel" will do. The author suggests that mature people must learn to discipline the tongue, and that such discipline is the beginning of wisdom. The spiritually mature person can remain silent when necessary, and knows when to speak up. The spiritually mature person can speak the truth, but speak it in love. The spiritually mature person can speak out of kindness, and leave unkind things unsaid. The author of James takes a tough stance, declaring that our actions and our words must "prove" our faith; "show" our faith; "line up" with our faith.

A little boy asked his mother one day, "Mommy, how can you tell the difference between someone who's a Christian and someone who isn't." "Well," said the mother, "You can tell by the way a person acts. Christians are kind to other people. They don't use bad language. They are helpful." "Wow," said the little boy, "we could use more Christians in the third grade at my school." That little boy had a point. The world desperately needs people who do more than listen to the Gospel, who do more than read the Bible and tuck away inspirational verses for their own use. The world needs people who can live out the Word of God in everyday ways, week after week and year after year. It's easy to sit in a pew and say "I believe in God," but it's a different thing all together to act upon one's faith. May God help us, and grant us the grace to live and speak in ways that show God's love.

Loving God, teach us your obedience,
and your love. May our words and thoughts
show that our lives are rooted in You.
In Jesus' name - AMEN

Dr. Stacy Ikard
Associate Pastor

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