James 3:1-12
DAILY BYTE
In entrusting to us the gift of language and the ability to create meaning through our words - which after all is one of the distinguishing features of what it means to be human - God was taking an immense risk. Indeed, he was instilling in us the same fundamental capacity through which he created the heavens and the earth. If that seems overstated, consider for a moment what can be created or destroyed in young children, for example, simply through what their parents tell them. Or how our inner dialogue so dramatically determines the shape of our outward experience. This is why motivational speakers and life-coaches focus so heavily on the importance of speaking positive messages all the time, as our words do have a certain self-actualising quality about them.
As we think this week about what it means to live lives of integrity, and what it is that we stand for, so we have to pay careful attention to the words that come out of our mouths.
Hear what James has to say about this:
A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything – or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue – it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.
(James 3:5-10, The Message)
Christ listens with attentive interest to the words that come out of our mouths. Our words are a great litmus test as to the state of our inner life, for as Jesus said, “...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34), and on another occasion, “...the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart.” (Matthew 15:18).
What does he hear when he listens to you? A constant barrage of criticism and complaint? An endless stream of moaning and groaning? How often would he be saddened by the little tidbits of juicy gossip you help to spread? Or the subtle “re-arrangements of the truth” that are designed to make you look better? And how often would he delight in what he hears, and say a rousing “Amen to that!”?
What does it mean for you to be a person who is as good as your word?
Questions for reflection:
- What would those nearest to you - those with whom you live and work - say about the words that come out of your mouth? Are you someone who is as good as your word?
- How often and easily do you speak words of encouragement to others? Spend some time thinking about people you know who could really benefit from a sincere word of encouragement (which includes pretty much everyone). Write their names down and the specific things about them that you can affirm, celebrate and encourage. Now commit yourself to doing so before the week is over.
(As was the case yesterday, our prayer today is taken from a contemporary worship song by Tim Hughes. If you know the tune, sing it today as often as you can as your prayer for the day.)
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless your name, bless your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day, and the truth in my way
Speak of you, speak of you, Jesus
For this is what I’m glad to do
It’s time to live a life of love that pleases you
And I will give my all to you
Surrender everything I have and follow you
I’ll follow you
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