James 3:1-12, September 11-17, Lectionary Year B:

This of course is the famous passage in James which deals with the use, or misuse, of the tongue.  Notice, however, the initial context in which this passage is placed.  James is reminding the church of the importance of not having too many teachers--especially of not having novices as teachers.  A teacher's words come under closer scrutiny than those of other Christians.  New Christians therefore should not be placed under the heavy burdens and responsibilities that come with teaching, as their words will be heard by many impressionable people, young Christians, and outsiders--and will be monitored very carefully by the older members of the church.

 

It always amazes me that we often will put our youngest Christians in charge of teaching our youth and young adults.  We think that people relate better to those of the same age.  It may be a reasonable assumption; but the nurture and instruction of young Christians is far too important to leave to a kind of public relations campaign.  The important thing is the maturity of the teacher, not whether that teacher likes the same kinds of things the young people like.  Many new Christians or teens are still very impressionable, forming their first ideas of what the Christian life and doctrine are all about.  The people who influenced me most at that age were not other young people, or even young adults, in so far as church things were concerned.  The person who influenced me the most in spiritual things was my pastor--and he was the same age as my father.  The mature use of the tongue in teaching and guiding young Christians is of far more significance than whether or not they all go to the same movies.

 

Of course, the chapter goes on to elaborate on how difficult it is to discipline the tongue.  We all know many stories of how a thoughtless word has done irreparable damage.  A comment of rejection has perhaps hurt someone's feelings this very day who may be reading this blog.  Your tears may be the direct result of an unkind word or a sharp-tongued person--perhaps even in your church.  Jesus certainly can identify with your experience and would desire to comfort and encourage you in your hurt and pain.  Regardless of what the childish rhyme says, words do hurt.  They may re-enforce feelings of unworthiness or inadequacy that are already firmly rooted in our being.  Let the words of Christ's love from the Bible drown out the noisy words of an unfeeling world around you.

 

James also addresses the idea of consistency in our speech.  How can it be that the same person can, at one moment, speak words of blessing and kindness and, in the next, speak words of anger, hatred, and malice?  As James says, this ought not to be. 

 

Let us be careful in the use of our tongues--both as teacher and as Christian who relates to others daily.  Let us also however remind ourselves that just because someone says something hurtful or mean to us, that doesn't make it true.  The words spoken by God are more powerful and more wonderful than any words spoken by those who wish to hurt us.