This week as we continue in our James series, we will be exploring once again a very important theme in this mosaic: the power of the tongue.
Now James, if you recall, is not a letter seeking to teach new theological concepts. James is trying to get in our business with this letter, which is why certain parts of this text might feel uncomfortable for us to read. But that is okay! It is good for us to be uncomfortable and challenge our assumptions and habits about our lives. With that in mind, let's read James 3:1-12.
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.
Metaphors abound in James 3:1-12, which can often obscure the point that James is trying to make in this passage, a point not about speech in general or even about teaching despite the way he begins this chapter. So let's try to unravel some of these metaphors.
In James 3, the focus is on how faithful Christians speak about other human beings made in God’s own image, calling us to account for abusive language. However, to get into this argument, James begins with a meditation on human speech and on the potentially destructive power of the human tongue.
In the opening verses of chapter 3, James counsels the community that not many of them should become teachers. According to the Working Preacher Commentary, that same Greek sentence can read “do not become many teachers,” that is, do not turn into a community that thinks you all can or should teach.
Teachers were often persons of honor in their communities. So, James might also be warning his friends not to aspire to be a teacher just because of the honor it might bring you and your family. Either way, he makes it clear that a high standard is set for teachers, and that they will be held into account at a higher level than others.
In this passage, James is using three metaphors to make his point.
First, “Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.”
James continues to talk about how we can control a horse with a relatively small bit of metal. When employed right, the bit can change the course of a horse, guiding it where you want it to go. With a bit, you can keep yourself and the horse from danger.
We can read this metaphor in two ways, individual and communally. Individually, your tongue is a small part of your body, and it can guide and direct the whole course of your life. If it is uncontrolled, well, that can cause you a world of hurt. If it’s controlled, you’ll have a better time being faithful.
Communally, when handled properly and maturely, the tongue can steer the whole body, which is the church. This is what James means when he says, “who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect.” In the same way, if a teacher can’t control the tongue, if those persons aren’t mature, they can lead the church in rather bad places.
Second metaphor: James gets a bit more intense. The bridle was just the start…
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.
Imagine the most beautiful forest. The deer are peeking out from behind the trees, the squirrels are chasing each other up the trees, jumping all over, the birds are chirping. There is a slight breeze and the sun is shining perfect through the branches. You hear the rustling of the leaves in the wind and the crunch of the leaves as you walk. It’s just perfect and possibly the place you encounter God most. You feel rested and your cup filled here.
Then comes someone who cannot control their tongue. They could be spewing hate about another child of God, possibly false doctrine that is harmful. Maybe they are coming with a doomsday message that this world, which you are enjoying so much as God's creation, is going to be destroyed in fire and brimstone, which is contrary to the gospel.
This tongue is spitting fire and before you know it, the entire forest is in flames and the fire is out of control. Such a tiny thing that may be so quick or insignificant, has the power to destroy. What once was your safe place is now in flames and you likely got a bit harmed. This is the danger of an out of control tongue.
Church, we all have been guilty at one moment or another of losing control of our tongues. There is grade abundant for us.
Some of you reading may also have been on the receiving end of this fire, and we lament with you that you experienced these flames of hate and judgment from people who called themselves Christians.
James has one more metaphor. He describes the tongue as “restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Wow, that feels pretty strong, James!
If you have ever had food poisoning before, you know that it truly affects the whole body. Food poisoning can be incredibly dangerous, and even deadly.
James is talking to us as both individuals and as members and leaders in the church. Your tongue, if it is not controlled through the power of the Spirit, can make the healthiest body gravely ill. It is most commonly people’s tongues and their choice to use their words to divide and hurt that will destroy a church that you once loved.
We often do not realize how much what we say affects our outlook on life. Constant negative words will reinforce a negative outlook. Critical words will only enable your judgment on others. Fearful phrases will only cause your fear to grow and will make others afraid as well. All of those things in the church can be absolutely devastating to the mission to which God has called us. They are poisonous.
By now, you’ve got James’ point. The tongue is a small object that, when misused, can cause a world of destruction and sickness. But James isn’t done.
Verse 9-12 says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and Sisters, can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
Hate has no place coming from the people of God. Cursing others has no place from the people of God. Every human being is made in the image of God, and we have no business cursing the image of God.
Church, we cannot praise God with our lips on Sunday and curse our neighbor who thinks differently than us, who has a different immigration status than us, who is voting differently than us, on Monday. It does not matter what someone posted on Facebook, what they said about you to a friend, or what you heard from someone else… there is no room in the Church for the people of God to use their tongue to destroy or cause harm.
Church, you are allowed to have positions on topics. You can take a stand on an issue based on your convictions. BUT, regardless of your position on a topic… if you claim to be a follower of Jesus, your posture to all people must be one of love.
Love inspires humility. And the posture of a Jesus follower should be one of humility, curiosity and a willingness to fight for the highest good of others.
Original sermon by Pastor Makenzie Flores
Blog post adaptation by Allison Freytes
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