T H E O P H I L U S

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.

– James 3:1-2

Today’s Scripture Reading: James 3

Over the years, I have learned the hard way how simple words could mean so many different things to different people. Depending on one’s circumstances, language is imperative to not just good communication, but to developing relationships. This is especially scrutinized as a leader more than a parishioner in most cases. This is even affirmed in James 3:1. People are sensitive to the genuineness behind the words. Regardless of whether you are saying the truth or not, some may take your words as offensive, and some may receive them as a blessing. We have all been guilty of this at some point, and whether we are a leader or not, this is one of the most brutal disciplines of Christian living that we must hone and refine; to become masters over the wild beast which is our tongue. No believer should consider themselves exempt of this discipline. Being a leader does not give one the excuse to say whatever you please, even though you believe it is right. If one is not in leadership, then our tongues ought to be disciplined even more so that we do not cause others to stumble, grumble and alienate.

Killing the Beast

^5b 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.

It is not enough that we cut out foul language from our lips as believers. There are words that are birthed from hearts of vengeance, bitterness, anger, and hurt that can be used to destroy somebody. Likewise, it is also everything that surrounds and is chained to those words that we need to tame. It needs to be torn up from the root. If we are prone to grumbling and complaining with our tongues, then it is our discipline to tame our actions which come with them, such as coldness or hot hostility that accompanies words that do not edify. Trash talk does not appease or heal one’s ill heart and mind. It opens up the wounds so that it may become even more infected with disease. Just as the closing of a wound is imperative to healing of the body, taming of the tongue heals the pain and frustration of one’s heart.

Healing with Grace

Taming our tongues and actions allow us to make Godly choices which edify and purify. Our lips no longer have control over our circumstances. If our lips and tongues ought to move, it would be greatly advised to take it straight to prayer. Our mouths ought to be filled not with thorns and bullets, but instead with grace and mercy.

“¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” 

It is not until even recently for myself that I made a policy for my own accountability. If I have nothing constructive or edifying to say, I should not say anything at all so that I should not give room for the enemy to take hold of me, of others, or my circumstances. As the book of James states: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” (James 1:19). 

If I am a vessel of God’s goodness and grace, then so should whatever flows out of me reflect such a volume of claimed content. Our response to disconcertion and frustration ought not to be destruction, but redemption and revival. If it is possible for God to save a sinner such as me, then how much more possible is it for Him to save and transform all of our messy circumstances? Thus, be obedient to God’s will today instead of the call of the beast which is the tongue. May he strengthen you daily and allow you to mature and grow more resilient in storms and strife.