Bible In A Year | Read: James 3
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring? James 3:3-11
Overview of Chapter
A case is made for the importance of controlling the tongue. For teachers, this is especially important because their tongues are very influential. In Genesis 1 we are told that God made humanity in his own likeness. James points out that we cannot praise God and then insult those who are made in God’s likeness. James goes on to contrast two kinds of wisdom. There is earthly wisdom, which helps a person take advantage of others, and there is heavenly wisdom, which makes us, and those around us, better. We are challenged to seek heavenly wisdom.
When James was writing, words were almost always spoken and only sometimes handwritten. Today we have printed and electronic means of communicating our words. It is so much more important for us to pay attention to the fact that those we talk about and to are created in God’s likeness. He loves them, no matter what they do.
Thoughts on the verses
“I love you.”
“I hate you.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“I don’t care.”
Singing praises to God. Saying mean things. Encouraging a friend. Calling people names. As humans, we do all these things—the good and the bad. And whether we say loving or hurtful words, they both come from the same place: our mouths.
James picks up on this idea in today’s passage. The tongue is such a small part of our body, yet it can cause so much damage when we use it to say hurtful things. Just like a big boat can be steered with a tiny wheel or rudder, the way our lives go are often controlled by the things that come out of our mouths.
If we have faith in God and use our mouths to praise Him, then it’s wrong for us to use that same mouth to disobey Him in the way we speak. We should use the mouths that God gave us to encourage each other, to say loving things, and to tell other people about Jesus and His love for us. Our mouth can be used for evil, but let’s make sure we use it for good.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve and bless one person through word, action or gift today.
Prayer
Loving Father, please help me to show my love for You in the way that I speak. I’m sorry for when I’ve said hurtful things; please forgive me. Help me to use my mouth to obey You and be kind to others around me instead. Amen.
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