Control Your Speech

February 23, 2014 Background Scripture: James 3:1 – 12 Lesson Passage: James 3:1 – 12 Sticks and stones may break my bones but words—well, quite frankly, words can hurt too. In fact, words can hurt a whole lot. Words can hurt in very different ways. Words can leave emotional scars that never seem to heal. Knowing this should make us more sensitive concerning the words we speak. As we mature spiritually, we realize that our maturity is demonstrated through the control of our speech. There is always something that can be said but maturity would properly assess the situation by asking if it should be said. When words are released into the winds of conversation, rumors, and gossip, it is impossible to gather them again and erase the effect they have had on hearers. Words have a longer lasting effect when one is in the position of being a teacher of others. People come into teaching situations expecting to be taught. Teachers must choose their words carefully knowing that they will likely be quoted by others for years to come. Teachers will be judged more severely because of the long-term effect their teaching can have on their students as well as others the students will interact with later. In his epistle, James admonishes Christians to accept that we are not all called to be teachers. This can save a lot of heartburn in the future. Controlling our words can also help us limit our actions. We often act after we have put our foot in our mouths and we try to correct or support our speech by our actions. These actions will more than likely lead to a worsening of the situation. James provides a simple solution to the dilemma; control the tongue and that will control the body. James gives examples of small things that have major impact or effect. A bit put in a horse’s mouth is used to control the movement of the horse’s entire body. A small rudder controls a large ship. A small spark can ignite a flame that becomes an out-of-control forest fire. Likewise, the tongue is small but it can cause a lot of damage. The tongue may be a small member of the body but it can create big problems. James also contrasted the control of one’s tongue to the taming of wild animals. He concluded that controlling the tongue is a greater challenge. The tongue can be a source of all manner of evil. The evil words it can spread will act like a poison. Notably, the tongue can be used for both good and evil. The tongue can praise God and it can curse people who are created in God’s image. This inconsistency of use shows the great danger of an out-of-control tongue. The tongue should be the source of either good or evil. It should not be used for both! There are many expressions that have been used over time to convey the same message that James wrote about. Sometimes we are told “You talk too much.” Or it may come to us as “You should learn to keep your big mouth closed.” Or if we reach way back, we will recall hearing “You are always running off at the mouth.” All of those expressions conveyed the same message: Control your speech. Robert C. Hudson February 10, 2013