James 3.6-8
“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
Are you getting the message that scripture is very serious about directing and admonishing you to be diligent and disciplined about the way you talk and communicate?
This theme has occupied a great deal of space in James’ letter, and now he really applies the heat. He describes the tongue as “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James then laments that the tongue is unpredictable and impulsive. If we do not manage our mouth, we can speak words that bless God and then turn around and speak words that curse people.
“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” (James 3.9-10)
James reminds us that people are created in the likeness of God. How is it possible that we bless God but curse people that God has created? How is that we are capable of such inconsistency? Such hypocrisy? James gives an answer that echoes Jesus’ message in the gospels.
“My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” (James 3.10-12)
It is vitally important to understand that controlling the tongue means a great deal more than just don’t use bad language and don’t tell dirty jokes. It includes those prohibitions, yes, but the intent of this commandment is much broader and deeper. What God is telling us in scripture is that our speaking should be wise, skillful, and powerful. And this is especially true for leaders.
The job of a leader is to communicate, educate, and motivate, much of which is accomplished through words. For the leader who is a follower of Christ, this three-fold responsibility is amplified. Not only are Christian leaders responsible for the performance of their organization or team, they are also representing the kingdom of God as they go about the daily task of communicating, motivating, and leading.
Let’s get personal:
1 Do you communicate wisely?
Do your words reflect God’s standards? Do you understand your audience, and do you see and understand what you need to say, how to say it, and when? Do you adjust and adapt to different audiences? Do you know when to be quiet and not say anything?
2. Do you communicate skillfully?
Are you clear, concise, and effective in the way you communicate? Do people hear and understand what you say?
3. Do you communicate with power?
Are you compelling? Is the way you communicate energized by the Holy Spirit? Do you engage hearts and minds and motivate people to action? Do you recognize those times when the most powerful thing you can do is care and listen?
May we manage our mouth and say no to the impulses of the old nature. May we speak wisely, skillfully, and powerfully from a heart filled with the presence of Christ.
The Lord is calling.
