[:en]TAMING THE TONGUE (vs. 1-12)
Teaching was a highly valued and respected profession in Jewish culture. Many Jews who embraced Christianily wanted to become teachers. But James warned that teachers’ responsibility is great because their words and example will affect the spiritual lives of others.
A perfect man is someone who is never at fault in what he says. It means that what you say or what you don’t say are both important. You should say the right words at the right time and also not say what you should not . Untamed tongues inclued gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, lying and false teachings. Here is the motto of the Lion’s Club. “Before you speak, ask 3 questions: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it beneficiary?”
James comapered the power of the tongue to bits in the mouth of the horses and small ruddle of a ship. The bits can turn the horse to obey us. The small rudder can let the pilot drive a ship wherever he wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boast. (vs. 3-5)
He also compared the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire. A great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage to people. Hateful words spread destruction. Careless words left scars and destroy relationships that take years to build. So, remember that words are like fire. You can neither control nor reverse the damage they can cause. No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil full of deadly poison (v. 8). Only the Holy Spirit can give us the power to control what we say. When we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of God’s love not to react in a hateful manner. When we are criticized, the Spirit will heal the hurt and help us not to lash out.
Out of the same mouth we praise the Lord and curse men. Let God change you from inside out. Let the Holy Spirit purify your heart and give you self-control to speak words that please God.
TWO KINDS OF WISDOM (vs. 13-18)
True wisdom is measured by a person’s character. A tree is identified by the fruit it produces. So our widom is manifested by the way we act. Bitter enemy and selfish ambitions are earthly and unspiritual. It comes from the devil which leads to disorder. But wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peace loving, considerate, submission, full of mercy, with good fruits, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.[:]