Sacred and Profane Speech

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the entrance of Your Word gives light!

We ask that You will shine the light of Your Word into our hearts,

so that it may be reflected in our lives and illuminate the world around us.

Amen

Introduction

Today we are going to look at James and his letter, and then we are going to consider the reading for today.

It may help you to think of it as his letter to us.

Who is James?

James was the brother of Jesus, and also of Jude. He is thought to have been a significant leader of the Church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13; Galatians 1:19, 2:9; 1 Corinthians 15:7, 9:5). The Greek text of the New Testament refers to him as Jacob, but for historical reasons the English speaking world knows him as James

Some take the view that the half-brothers and half-sisters of Jesus were younger children of Joseph and Mary, and others take the view that they were children of Joseph from a previous marriage. There are other options. You can take your pick. Whatever you think about this, we have reason to believe that a number of Jesus’ brothers became believers (Acts 1:14), and two of them wrote parts of the New Testament.

According to Josephus, James (aka Jacob) was stoned to death at the behest of Ananus around the year AD 62. The tradition that James led the Jerusalem Church is confirmed by Hegesippus who is quoted by Eusebius (ICC James pp. 64-66). He further informs us that James was known as ‘James the Just’ because of his holy life-style. He may have been a Nazarite. He was known as a devout man of prayer. He was thought to have been martyred for preaching Christ and securing many converts to the faith. His dying words, like those of his brother Jesus, were to pray for those who had killed him. St James is remembered by the Catholic and Anglican Churches on the 1st of May.

Introduction to the general letter of James

The books of the New Testament have not always travelled together in one collection. In the early centuries of the Church, they often travelled in four groups: 1) the Gospels e, 2) Paul (+Hebrews) p, 3) Revelation r, 4) Acts, James, and Jude a. Signified in the Apparatuses as e a p and r. We have parts of Acts/James/Jude collections dating from the 3rd century onwards. Though the autograph (original letter) was composed earlier than this.

The book of James is a letter that many think was written by James, the Brother of Our Lord. It is one of two New Testament works that were thought to have been written by a brother of Jesus. The second being Jude. Most ancient authorities agree with this opinion.

James’ letter is often aphoristic in form with pithy sayings, which may or may not relate to their wider context within the letter. James does not like sham religion, and believed in the sanctity and separation of the people of God. James wrote using good Greek, and was familiar with LXX (The Septuagint). The book itself has been characterised as both Jewish and Christian by various commentators because of the ideas that it contains.

When I was a young Christian in my mid-teens, I went through a stage where the letter of James was my favourite book in the bible.

In our reading from his letter James wants to call our attention to the tongue and the power exerted by speech.

What kind of power could we be talking about?

We will take a look at two famous examples, and then we will consider what James and others have to say on the subject.

Just over a century ago a child was born into the family of a civil servant. He aspired to be an artist so he travelled to a city with an art college. Unfortunately he did not do too well. At some stage he decided to join the army. He became a messenger and was awarded medals for bravery under fire. He worked his way up the ranks to corporal, and that was his rank at the end of the First World War. He does not appear to have been a particularly gifted man, but he did have a talent for public speaking. He stirred up a crowd and inspire them to take action that would transform the countries of Europe. He preached a gospel of bitter hatred and selfish cruelty. He told the German people that they were the master race and he was going to make Germany great. He turned the continent of Europe into a massive bomb site. The weapon that Hitler used to accomplish this was speech.

Meanwhile just across the channel there lived a young man, that had been born into the nobility. His father told him that he was a failure. But he became a successful reporter, and later joined the army and became a commissioned officer. Eventually he entered politics and presided over one of the greatest military disasters in British history. But he learned some important lessons and came back from this failure. Winston Churchill later became our prime-minister and made one of the all-time great speeches of British history:

“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

With this and other such speeches he inspired the British people to take a stand against the evil that had engulfed Europe at the time.

These are quite extreme examples. These were two public speakers who had very different methods and results.

Teachers

James 3:1 NIV

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

James the Just gives some curious advice to us. Not many of you should become teachers, because you will come under closer scrutiny.

The teacher is always expected to set the standard. If he can’t get it right, then what chance do the students or congregation stand.

This verse is about taking responsibility. Many aspire to prominence or fame in society, but not quite so many are ready to recognise and embrace the responsibilities that come as a consequence, not just for teachers but for any kind of leadership.

Maybe James was lamenting the behaviour of others, or perhaps he was passing onto his fellow Christians some hard won personal lessons.

James 3:2 NIV

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

This verse seems to me to be a tall order, and even appears to be a little sarcastic. Perhaps this is James’ idea of religious humour. If you are perfect, then I guess that you will be able to keep yourself in check.

All of us at one time or another have opened our mouths and put our foot in it. It is clear that we need to be more aware of what we say and the effect that we have on others.

It is not a good idea to go around winding people up, especially if it upsets them.

We might be tempted to separate the bit about the tongue from the bit about the teachers in this passage, but I don’t think that we are supposed to do this.

James’ lesson about the tongue applies to all of us, but especially the teachers, preachers, and leaders.

Tongues

James 3:3–4 NIV

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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.

James is clearly keen to impart a sense of the power of the tongue, and the importance of its proper control.

A horse that is out of control is a danger to itself, its rider, and to everyone else. When a horse was controlled it was essential to existence of ancient communities. Used in transport, military operations, farming, and so much else. But if it was out of control it was worse that useless. It became a danger.

A ship that is not steered with care by an experienced pilot will soon end up in trouble, and may end up wrecked, loosing people and goods.

The tongue can be a blessing or a blight.

James 3:5–6 NIV

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. 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.

Gossip and rumour can cause immeasurable damage to a community. Manipulation and harsh language may achieve its objective, but should we really be speaking without giving thought to the damage that we might do.

Freedom of speech is a wonderful privilege that ought not to be abused.

James 3:7–8 NIV

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

It is a lesson to us all that we need to try to keep control of the tongue.

This lesson is particularly relevant to teachers, preachers, leaders, and public speakers.

Regrettably, there cannot be too many people who have not spoken out of turn at one time or another.

A word spoken in haste is ofter lamented at leisure. But our God is a forgiving God.

James 3:9–10 NIV

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

James warned his readers about inconsistency.

He is also reminding us about the importance of being a good witness.

Our tongues are meant to praise God and support our community.

Our tongues should be used as instruments of God, dedicated to his service.

James 3:11–12 NIV

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

The implication of this lesson from James is that if we cannot tame the tongue, then we may not be as close to God as we think that we are.

What Does the Bible Tell Us About Speech?

Ephesians 4:15 NIV

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

1 Peter 3:10 NIV

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

What Does All This Mean to Me?

James calls us to consider carefully how we can make good use of our tongue.

We can make good use of the tongue:

1) by exercising self-control.

2) by avoiding gossip and rumour.

3) by encouraging and supporting our Christian brothers and sisters.

4) by praise of thanksgiving to God.

5) by praying for others.

6) by avoiding hurtful speech

7) by deciding only to say good things wherever possible.

8) by speaking the truth in love.

I am going to close with some thoughts from the Psalms.

Psalm 15:1–5 NIV

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. AMEN (Psalm 19:14).