“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:5-8, King James Version
The New Testament book of James offers a lot of teaching in a small volume. In only five chapters, James discusses how to achieve the goal of leading a Christian lifestyle. For example, he urges us to “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
Much of the third chapter deals with the importance of Christians controlling their tongues and speaking in an appropriate manner. For a piece of tissue that weighs only a couple of ounces, the tongue wields great power. Remember Carl Sandburg’s poem “Primer Lesson” where he cautions the reader on the use of “proud words” that cannot be called back once spoken? A lot of damage is inflicted by undisciplined tongues.
Lest you think this instruction is somewhat outdated, check out the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article on a young woman who lost her position as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Christmas Traditions program for the city of St. Charles, Missouri when she was overheard cursing in a restroom. Her language was deemed inappropriate, even though she was cursing at herself in frustration at an error she had made.
If we can’t control the words our brains direct to our tongues, how can we expect any credibility as Christians when the world looks at us? A better solution: take the frustration to the throne and ask Jesus for the words and emotions to deal with the situation. If we claim the name of Christ, we should also seek to live up to the Name and not to dishonor it.
Let’s direct our tongues to praise, rather than complain and to uplift others rather than to cut them down. We know that Satan is out there laughing in glee each time we hurt someone (including self) with our words.
Father, Thank You for the gift of speech. Help us to use it for Your Glory and to show others the way to You. Teach us to curb our tongues and be silent rather than speaking in anger. We ask in the Name of Your Precious Son, Jesus. Amen.
References:
Biblegateway: James 3 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203&version=KJV
Carl Sandburg: Primer Lesson http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/primer-lesson/
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/stcharles/fired-fairy-is-hired-by-two-main-street-st-charles/article_05964652-ca2d-5414-aa36-65c899b3be56.html#ixzz1eCsjp6EY