November 4, 2024

I'm going to offend everyone with my commentary on this next chapter, and maybe I should bridle my tongue, but not today. Like it or not, we all talk too much! James 3 hits hard for those who have difficulty controlling their tongue. He compares it to fire. The tongue releases the thoughts in your head, which can be frightening for those who don't control it. Wild animals can be tamed, "but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." The Bible doesn't mince words regarding the fire that comes from your mouth. However, the text gives a solution; it suggests that you pray for wisdom, and I couldn't agree more. Though I'm peace-loving and reserved, and it takes a lot for me to act on provocation, there are times that my tongue gets me in trouble. However, sometimes people react with offense when I keep my tongue bridled, and they read into it what I didn't say, and it's usually those who don't control their own mouth that get offended because they think they know what I'm thinking. They might be correct, but I didn't say it; if they didn't run their mouth so much, they might not experience my "lack" of reaction. James probably should have included facial expressions in this chapter; that may be where I get in trouble. Remember, you use that same mouth to bless God; think before you speak; if Jesus didn't respond that way, you shouldn't either.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:17-18

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5