James 3

James chapter three begins with an exhortation that not many should teach, because there is a stricter judgment (James 3:1). He goes on to mention the many ways we can stumble (James 3:2) but then chooses to address the one that would apply in even greater measure to teachers, whose job it is to use their mouths to encourage and train in godliness. While it applies to every believer, teachers must recognize that their words carry greater weight due to the responsibility they have to impart truth to their students.

Approximately two-thirds of James chapter three is dedicated to the tongue. James describes it as "a fire, the very world of iniquity" (James 3:6 NASB95). This Scripture is near to my heart primarily because, like many, I have struggled to align this member of my body with God's order. Though I do not include foul language in my vocabulary, I have struggled with more dangerous attitudes of the heart that have manifested in complaints disguised as spiritual concern in my mind. It is a danger that every child of God, not to mention a minister, must confront. We have all lashed out in anger when we shouldn't have. We have all said unkind words and attempted to justify our own sin. This is James' concern for the believers, that "from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing" (James 3:10).

It is this idea of both blessings and curses coming from our mouths that reflects the wisdom of Proverbs 18:21 that states, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (NASB95). The warning is that there are always consequences associated with our words. Before we speak rashly, we must remember Christ's warning "that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37 NASB95). With his several object lessons regarding the mouth as a horse's bit, a rudder that drives ships, the tongue as a fire and a wild beast to be tamed, and salted, bitter water (James 3:3-4, 6, 8, 11-12), James is pointing people back to this truth. Other people are not judged by what we say; we are!

I firmly believe that if Jesus is the Word incarnate as John 1 describes, then, unless He redeems my mouth and speech, in my flesh, I will only speak defilement. But God, through James, calls us to a better way: the way of love. Love does not speak harsh words or "the truth in love" minus a pure motive. It always builds up, so even in discipline, we should seek to speak in such a way that love permeates our being. In disappointment, we should, as David, pray, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Ps. 141:3 NASB95). We should not proclaim a Gospel of deliverance one moment and insult the image of God in others the next. James wants our mouths to align with the Christian ethic, as much as our actions, because he knows that "the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (Matt. 12:34 NASB95). If we want to know someone’s heart, we should listen to what they are saying about God, others, themselves, and their circumstances. Humans can efficiently lie in one area, but ultimately, they will betray themselves unless refined by the Spirit. In this manner, we should all submit ourselves to His transforming power and allow the coals of heaven to touch our mouths so that we can minister prophetically to our generation (Is. 6:7).

I find it interesting that James describes the tongue as a “world of iniquity” (James 3:6), which aligns perfectly with what the seraphim told Isaiah when he touched his mouth with the coals: “your iniquity is taken away and your sin forgiven” (Is. 6:7 NASB95). Because our hearts motivate our actions, it also stands to reason that our hearts are manifested in our mouths. This is one reason James warned earlier that we should be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (James 1:19 NASB95). Our speech alone can cause us to sin.

James follows his discourse on the tongue with an exhortation that wisdom is reflected in our behavior, which is characterized by gentleness (James 3:13). This reflects back to the beginning of the chapter, where James is discussing teachers as well. The tongue of the teacher will be edifying to the student. James further ties in his teaching of the heart and the human propensity to "lie against the truth" (James 3:14 NASB95). Again, an untruth spoken is a lie, and James warns against jealousy, selfish ambition, and arrogance. Sometimes, when we speak, we do so believing we are right and fail to maintain an attitude of humility. James encourages us that even truth spoken without a heart of love can lead us astray. Motive matters! In fact, motive matters so much that disordered motives, James declares to be demonically inspired (James 3:15).

This should not only have moved his audience, who were surrounded by demonic manifestations, but it should have driven us to our knees in repentance. James further exhorts that "wisdom" that promotes exhibitionism and jealousy is not only indicative of a disordered heart; it is the wellspring of “every evil thing” (James 3:16 NASB95). Such characteristics will also help believers discern a false teacher in their midst. So, the student has a responsibility to judge what they are being taught against the plumbline of Scripture. James contrasts this demonic knowledge with godly wisdom, characterized by what is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (James 3:17 NASB95). James is providing the characteristics of both so that believers can judge their own mouths. If we evaluate what we are saying by the list above, we can uncover the motive and prevent ourselves from sinning.

The chapter concludes with James encouraging us to sow seeds in peace that will bear righteousness (James 3:18). Being rightly related to God and others will always be mirrored in our lives and speech. There are many brilliant people in the church whom God cannot promote because they have not learned to control their tongues. If we endeavor to be peacemakers, it will reflect in Word and deed. This means how we speak when facing opposition or having emotions that conflict with sound wisdom is just as vital as the actions we take to rectify the problem.