LIFE AND DEATH IS IN THE TONGUE

 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3:1-6

James rightly points out that because teachers can have a tremendous impact on those around them, they will be held accountable for every word that comes out of their mouth. All the more reason for those with the gift of teaching to be certain of what they are saying and are clear when they are giving an opinion. This is especially true when teaching about the character and nature of God, our Creator.

James compares the tongue to the rudder on a ship. It is a small piece of the steering mechanism of a ship but will set the course of a large vessel.

Our words are very important, with them we can build each other up, or tear each other down. James goes on to compare our words to a small spark that can set an entire forest on fire!

Lies, misrepresentations, and malicious gossip can cause huge problems for people. Some problems become overwhelming for some who have been targeted with tragic results.

When we lie or gossip, we participate in Satan’s destructive nature, and his goal to pervert and torment humanity.

Jesus, pointed out to his disciples that every word that comes out of our mouth begins in the heart (Luke 6:44-46; Matthew 12:33-35).

The Jews clearly understood that the head and the heart were the same thing. The Hebrew word for thought (brain) and heart are the same word – labab

So what Jesus is stating is that our thought life is tied to what will eventually come out of our mouth as we express what we believe. Whether our thoughts correspond to reality or not.

It might be possible to hide how we feel about another person, but eventually the ill will that we harbor in our heart will come out and the hater will expose themself. The interesting thing here is that the whole time, God knows our heart and knows our intent to harm another person, even before we act out our resentment or hate toward the other person.

Unfounded assumptions stem from envy. Envy that is allowed to fester will lead to hate and slander.

Jesus teaches that hate is equivalent to murder (Matthew 5:21-22).

James points out that it is not possible for one to claim to truly love God while at the same time to slander another human being who was also created in the image of the Creator. We lie to ourselves when we claim to love God. Yet at the same time harbor hateful thoughts about another. The result is death to our own soul.

On the other side of the equation, our words can bring life to those around us. When our thought life is focused on the Father it is very difficult to envy others. When envy is absent there is no resentment or slander of others.

There is no self-pity or self-comparisons to others. The focus is on God our Creator. With our heart and mind set on pleasing God, the natural outflow would be words that reflect building one another up in Christ.

Words of life flow from a heart that wants the best for others which is at the heart of God. Speaking life into others builds up the ecclesia and that is what we should be focused on to please our Father…

Do not be fooled or tricked into resenting or reciprocating the hate of those who taunt you by their false accusations. These people are easy targets for the devil and are tormented by demonic entities. Paul tells us to take every thought captive to Christ and to remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but of the powers and principalities of this earthly realm.

Everyone who desires to walk in the righteousness of Christ will be attacked by these demonic entities. The enemy will use the weakest people around you to target you. We must resist the devil and his tactics.

Focus on our LORD who we desire to please.