Exploring the Scripture
The third conversation in the book of James focuses on temptations to use our words to control, manipulate, and denigrate others. Verse 1 warns Christians the honor of teaching the gospel to others carries with it a burden of responsibility. The phrasing makes it plain that James himself was a teacher in the Christian community. Christian teachers were the equivalent of Jewish rabbis, and commanded respect in the community. But judgment comes quickly to those who misuse the privilege, fail to share the gospel truthfully, or use the title for self-aggrandizement.
His comments expand to include a warning to all Christians to guard their speech. Each disciple is an informal teacher, as they share the gospel and influence others. During the early days of Christianity, there were many perspectives on Christ, theology, faith, and moral laws—and there still are. Trying to guide someone else’s spiritual journey assumes authority and wisdom not everyone holds. Rare is the teacher who makes no mistakes, “perfect,” meaning whole and complete (v. 2).
James likens the tongue to a horse’s bit and a ship’s rudder, able to guide the whole. Small things can produce significant results. But the tongue itself is difficult to control, for it has wide-ranging effects. Like a forest fire, speech can ignite both transformation and explosion. The results are neither predictable nor controllable with unguarded speech, and words cannot be recalled once spoken.
James is familiar with Jesus’s words recorded in Matthew 12:36–37: “...you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words, you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.” Teaching untruths, sharing misinformation, gossiping, manipulating, and boasting are abusive uses of the gift of speech.
Irresponsible speech leads to a loss of integrity, an important theme in James’ writings. Integrity refers to a person’s veracity and reliability of character and the unbroken unity of spirit and intent to which we are called. When the same tongue blesses God in one moment and curses human beings in the next, the lack of integration shatters the wholeness of God’s natural order.
Just as fresh water and salt water cannot flow from the same stream, so blessing and cursing cannot flow from a truly integrated Christian heart. The double-tongued speech comes from a divided heart. A genuine disciple seeks unity and integrity and results in speech that consistently blesses others, as Christ would bless.
Unguarded speech has damaged relationships, destroyed reputations, and closed congregations. On the other hand, Charitable speech has reconciled antagonists, healed wounds, and brought people back into harmonious relationships. We alone are powerless to overcome our divided nature that blesses and wounds others. Centering our lives on Jesus Christ helps us integrate our good intentions with our everyday acts, and offers an avenue of repentance when we fail.
Project Zion Podcast
Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- The honor of teaching the gospel carries both a great responsibility and the dangers of pride, misinterpretation, and misuse of power.
- Like a forest fire, the effects of careless speech are unpredictable, and words cannot be recalled once spoken.
- When the same tongue blesses God and curses human beings, it is an offense to the integrity of God’s natural order.
- A genuine disciple speaks in ways that consistently bless others.
Questions to Consider
- Who have been the influential teachers in your life, whose words have blessed you?
- What are the ways we seek recognition and influence? How do our procedures for priesthood calls help lessen prideful seeking for power?
- When have you felt caught between the impulse to respond in anger and the need to speak affirming, forgiving words? How did you resolve the dilemma?
- During the past week, when did you share words of blessing? What might you have done to improve your use of speech to bless people?