James: More GraceSample

Why can’t we stop saying things we regret?

Look around the world. Human beings have great power to control a whole variety of things. We can make horses ‘obey us’ (v. 3). We can steer large ships ‘wherever the pilot wants to go’ (v. 4). ‘All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind’ (v. 7).

• But what does James say about ‘taming’ the tongue (v. 8)?

The sad fact is that we can’t stop saying things we shouldn’t. Is this really such a big deal though?

James is writing to a church full of quarrelling, slander and boasting (4:1, 11, 16). Perhaps his complacent readers thought their spiritual lives were fine, despite all this going on. James wants to show them that their words are much more significant than they might think.

Small things can have massive effects. They can control the whole of something. A small bit controls a mighty horse and a small rudder a great ship (vv. 3–4). Small things can also wreak great destruction. A tiny spark can set a whole forest ablaze (v. 5).

The tongue is a small part of the body but its effects are massive too. Rather than us controlling it, the tongue actually controls us. It ‘sets the whole course’ of a person’s life (v. 6), and not in a good way!

James pictures the tongue as a spreading fire from hell, a world of evil living within us which ‘corrupts’ the whole person with terrifyingly destructive effects (v. 6).

The wagging piece of flesh in our mouths has no mind of its own though. Our tongues just form the words that express what we are like inside. When all the thoughts of our hearts spill straight out of our mouths, the effects are catastrophic. Our relationships, indeed our whole lives, are shaped for good or ill by our words. Lives and relationships can be destroyed by a few brief syllables.

• How does James describe the tongue (v. 8)?

It is as if we have a sea of poisonous thoughts constantly tossing around within us. Wave after wave of this vile liquid keeps erupting out of our mouths in what we say.

Our words give the world a dem- onstration of what is going on in our hearts. Taking an honest look at our words will always be a very humbling experience. It will remind us how much we need God's grace.

Pray

Confess to God the words you regret saying and then rejoice in his forgiveness.