Daily Devotional

The apostle James in his epistle to the twelve tribes provides multiple instructions and advisements on how followers of Christ should interact with one another. Acting impartially, caring for the neglected, pursuing peace, treating each fairly, and exercising caution with your speech are among the topics in which James provides instruction. For any new believer, James is one of the best books to direct their bible study due to its brevity, clear instruction, and simplistic illustrations. Much of what James discusses in his epistle reflects and expands upon what Jesus taught about human conduct in Matthew Chapter 6 -7 and Luke Chapter 6.

The topic of speech appears throughout James’ epistle, with chapter 3 containing a section fully dedicated to this part of human interaction. James likened a person’s tongue to the rudder of a ship. Something very small, but it directs where a whole ship goes. He also called the tongue, “a fire”, pointing out that a small spark can set a whole person’s life ablaze. It is untamable, containing a whole world’s worth of iniquity in a very small package. With just a few words, the direction of a person’s whole life can be changed. Telling a crush that you like them could result in saying “I do”, as you commit yourself in marriage to that person. In the very same way, it could also result in the pain of rejection, embarrassment, and, depending on the context, social awkwardness if you share the same work or social environment. Committing perjury carries the weight of criminal liability for yourself, or if committed by giving false testimony in court, could result in an innocent person being falsely convicted.

“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;” James 3:9

Just as much as our words can get us into trouble with the people we interact with, God, who sees all that we do, cannot be deceived by our words in the same way that a person can.  When Isaiah is taken up before the throne of God in Isaiah Chapter 6, he despairs over the state of his unrighteousness words by declaring that he is a man of “unclean lips”. Isaiah doesn’t despair over the unrighteousness of his hands or feet have, but over the unrighteousness of his words, which had to be burned away so that he could bear to stand in the presence of God.

Have just a few words gotten you into big trouble? Have just a few words destroyed old relationships or reputation? With just a few words I have destroyed good things I built, good things others have built, and most regrettably, good things our Lord has built. Graciously our Lord is long suffering, so before despairing, like Isaiah, stop, take a deep breath, and in just a few words say, “I’m sorry, please forgive me”. Then with just a few words, relinquish your tongue over to the Spirit today and everyday henceforth. Then observe as the Spirit turns that fire from being a source of destruction into a source of comfort and life, with patient ears, eyes that see, and a tongue that speaks healing truth in just a few words.  
 
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:1-4

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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