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James 3

Good Morning “Wise Tongue Tamers.”  Today we are in James 3.  

I once knew a man who was a master with foul language, expletives - you know, cuss words. He could use certain 4 letter words as a nouns, verbs, pronouns, adverbs and adjectives.  They were blurted out in moments of frustration, anger or exclamation.  The occasion didn’t seem to much matter.  What a thing to be remembered by…  

I’ve also known those who were convinced that if they think it, it’s appropriate to say it!  The feelings of those in ear shot… well that’s their problem.  If there’s something they don’t like, or something they want to say - they were committed to speak their mind.  

We live in a time when anyone with any platform seems to be a teacher.  Even if the hash they are slinging contains little or no Truth… Or twisted Truth.

Maybe you’ve known people with similar convictions.  James devotes much of this teaching to the tongue!  Words matter!  With them we can let people know who we are, what’s in our hearts and who we represent.  “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭34‬ ‭With words we can Glorify our Savior in Heaven or dishonor our God.  We can lift people up, or tear people down in an instant.

Check out some of James’ words: “…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. 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.”  James‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬

Interestingly enough, he then moves into teaching about deeds that reflect wisdom.  Letting your tongue off its chain usually doesn’t result in anything beneficial - it simply does not reflect wisdom.  Unfortunately it really doesn’t point to Jesus either.  

This is teaching we ALL could apply.  James actually begins with that point.  “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 ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭

Look, life for most of us is a series of bumbling and stumbling mistakes.  We stumble and fall on our faces and then get back up… accept responsibility, ask forgiveness and hopefully we don’t make the same mistakes again.  

Love you all!  Dig in!  James’ was quite the Teacher.