One of the biggest problems we have as Christians is saying things that hurt others. Sometimes it is done with malice but most of the time it is just being careless. James 3:2 says: “We all make mistakes.” And that is the biggest problem we have , we do not intend to defame or insult others but because of carelessness, we have caused hurt.
James uses the example of a bit controlling a horse. In the same way we should put the bit of caution on our tongue to control the direction of our words. Self-control is a virtue that comes with maturing grace. 1Peter 1:13 reads, “Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Self control sets the mind in motion to think before talking. Psalm 32:8-9, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way to go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay with you,” tells us that by the word of God all things are set in motion. In the same manner, when we speak, things are set into motion, for good or for evil. Through the grace given to us by Christ, we are taught to reveal God in what we say. If by thoughtless words we tear down instead of lifting up, we abuse the instruction of God.
As a rudder guides a massive ship through stormy seas, our tongue should guide our way when entangled with the conflicts of life. If we think Christ before speaking, we are less likely to become angry and say horrid things about each other.
With the aid of the Holy Spirit we can seek to understand why the actions of others inflame us to wrath and even slander. It is easy to see that when we are slandered or mocked, we would resort to the same tactics, but as followers of Christ, we are to follow His example and resist the temptation to degrade others. We can train wild animals to do our bidding. We raise oxen to pull carts, we ride horses, Even dangerous wild beasts like tigers, lions and (oh my) bears are trained to respond to our commands, yet we have the hardest time training our mouths and our minds to obey the simplest of commands; love one an other. We resort in our weakness to speak with the venom of snakes (Psalm 140:3), and we make the effort to project falsehoods against those who we dislike or mistrust.
We will bless one an other with the holiest of intentions, and yet at the same time criticize each other for the stupidest of reasons. We complain about the music in the church, the expressions of worship of other churches, the manner of dress or the traditions of worship of others. We reject them and even condemn them because they have a faith that is unlike our own. Even if they worship the same Three-in-One God that we do, we speak as if they worship false gods or are possessed by evil.
James demands from the Jewish Christians that they resist doing these things. Because the Gentile Christians did not worship in the Jewish customs, they thought of them as less than themselves. It is no different today with the churches working against each other rather than with each other. He speaks of springs of fresh water not being able to give forth salty water. It is with the tongues of discontent that the freshness of Christ is lost and replaced with brackish water. When we speak evil against one another, we dirty the spring of live with the discontent of selfish desires. We try to label ourselves as better than others instead of reaching out with the grace of Christ to uplift and embrace the sameness of Christ within each of us.
Remember this; Jesus spoke the words of David, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” (Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:16) Words of praise silence the foes of God, they defeat the Avenger. Wicked words only add fuel and armory to the ways of Satan, so be on guard every time you speak. Search out the intent of you mind before speaking and in this way you add to the Glory of Christ rather than rob Him of praise. Make sure your mind is in gear before engaging your mouth. Be sure that your intent is for the Glory of God before you choose your words. If it is of no good, then it is not of or for God.
And yet we still will stumble, we will make mistakes, we will cause harm even when we do not wish to. Yet by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can reduce the times that we do, and we can go to God and to those we have offended and ask for forgiveness. This is the blessing we have from Christ, that we can forgive and be forgiven even as we make the mistakes, the errors of live, the sins against men. Thank Christ Jesus for that.
