Two Tongues in One Mouth

James 3:1–18 ESV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Introduction

James wrote this letter to the Christian Church (adelphoi). He calls the family of God, the brothers and sisters, to not make the mistake of separating one’s speech from the process of Christian maturity. Our speech will often reveal more about us than we care to realize. Although James does not quote any Old Testament verse or quotes of Jesus directly, he does summarize portions of the teachings of Jesus. Portions of the Sermon on the Mount echo in this section of James’ letter. Listen carefully to how James applies the teachings of Christ regarding our speech.

A General Warning

James begins this section by reminding those in the church who would aspire to be teachers. Becoming a teacher involves the gifting by the Spirit and includes the mature character of self-control. A teacher who can not be self-controlled in their personal speech can do more harm than good in the church. Teaching the Word of God should be approached with a sober and humble attitude. Teachers can not say, “Do as I say, and not as I do”. Paul said this.

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Can you be perfect?

Ask your best friend, spouse, or kids if you are perfect, and they will most likely reveal some of your failures. What does James mean by pointing us to the possibility of being “perfect”? The term here implies someone who is whole and pure. Perfection means that nothing is lacking and has come to its full measure. This understanding of perfection is another way of describing maturity.

Things that are small but powerful

James makes the point that our speech (tongue) may appear a small part, but it greatly influences us. He points out three things that prove this point. First, a bridle is small in comparison to the horse it guides. Second, a rudder is also small in comparison to the ship. And thirdly, a small fire can set a large forest ablaze. In the same way, the tongue is a small member of the body, but it affects the direction of our whole life.

We can use small things for good but also evil. James essentially classifies the tongue as an SBD weapon. (Small but Deadly). He compares the tongue to a wild, poisonous, and deadly beast set afire by hell.

Whatever good gift God creates, Satan perverts. The tongue is one such area Satan has corrupted, which is why the Bible says the tongue has been “set on fire by hell” (James 3:6). We defy Satan’s evil attempts to destroy our lives through the tongue when we commit ourselves daily to the lordship of Jesus. https://www.gotquestions.org/the-tongue-is-a-fire.html

This description should awaken us from a casual understanding of our speech. Our tongue has the potential to be inspired by hell and used for purposes that go against God’s plan. They can become tools for the destruction of that which God seeks to restore.

A Dangerous Mixture

James points out the reality that we can be inconsistent with our tongues. We can bless God but curse people. This is not what God intends for us. Again, James gives us examples from real life. You will only find one type of water (salty or fresh) in a single body of water. And you will only receive one kind of fruit from a particular tree. But unfortunately, Christians can go through life assuming that their tongues can be use for both purposes.

εὐλογία (eulogia) blessing, praise. Refers to speech that invokes blessing, or to the positive circumstances associated with blessing.

κατάρα (katara) curse, imprecation. Used either to depict a cursing utterance meant to bring harm, the misfortune that results from cursing, or the object of such cursing.

Jesus said this about the importance of speech toward other believers.

Matthew 5:22 ESV

22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Christ taught that Christians should not neglect our relationship with those in the body of Christ. God commands His people to make an effort toward reconciliation and peace.

How Tame is My Tongue?

Christians ought to have speech that is filtered by the Power of the Holy Spirit. James most likely never envisioned the many ways we have today to communicate. The Taming of the Tongue includes our written communication, our social media posts, our texts, and our emails. We must not forget that God knows every communication we make, be it verbal or non-verbal. He knows our hearts. Check your heart because your speech flows from whatever is in your heart.

The Community of Christians is to be filled with the speech that builds up each other toward godliness. Just like fire can be used for damage or comforting warmth, so too the tongue can be used for God’s good work. James has given us this message in the context of the Christian Community “brothers and sisters”. Another unfortunate reality is that the fellowship of believers has become a salty pond when it should flow the freshwater of God’s character within our life and conversation. You may have had a bad experience with someone at some church. And this has caused you to stay away. If our speech has caused division, God calls us to use our speech to unite and heal the brokenness through grace-filled speech.

Christians can agree that hate speech is not wise or pleasing to God. However, God is the One who defines what hate speech is. The definition of what is hate speech is expanding in directions that do not align with God’s Word. When it comes to sin, we are to be clear on what God has stated in the Bible. We may see the day when stating what the Bible says about sin may become “illegal”. Our issue is not what we say but how we say it. Let our tongues be tamed even when we share the gospel message that all have sinned and need God’s grace and forgiveness.

Two Wisdom Options

This section seems to be the underlying idea of the letter. There are two options: God’s way or every other way. God’s way is named Wisdom from above. And those who live by it will have meekness of wisdom in their conduct. Meekness is not weakness but rather a strength that is controlled by submitting to God’s lordship.

But this is not the only wisdom available. Earthly wisdom can be an option, but it comes at the price of destruction. It will always bring disorder and vile practice (lack of morals). It may shock us to hear James call this wisdom demonic, but it accurately describes that it does not originate from God.

James lists seven characteristics of God’s wisdom. Number four, open to reason, needs some explanation. This description emphasizes two things:

A wise person never stops learning and is eager to grow in wisdom.

A wise person is willing to hear the other side in a personal conflict and change if needed.

James closes this section by reminding us that God’s wisdom is always seeking to replicate itself in the lives of those who come into contact with the Peacemakers. Obedience to God involves being peacemakers. We have two dimensions of peace. Peace with God and with others through Jesus Christ. Peace will always escape our grasp unless it is gained and maintained through Jesus Christ.

God- Centered Wisdom vs. Good Advice

We may apply James' words in many situations. One might even be able to remove all spiritual references and create a presentation suitable for a workplace seminar. And this is the danger, to reason that we can separate the Wisdom of God and leave behind a relationship with God. Although we may have some degree of success at applying God’s wisdom without Him, we will miss the foundational reasons why we should tame our tongues. We have been created in the image of God, and believers submit themselves to this worldview. I submit myself to God’s way not simply because it is good advice but because our Creator and Savior has decreed it, and therefore, we follow it. God is our Master, and we are His servants. All that the Master has given for us to follow will be good, and even if it seems unpleasant or contrary to my natural inclination, God’s way is the way of Life. And Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Anything apart from Him will always end up in the way of this earthly way. All that comes from Him will be of the kind that comes from above.

Proverbs 9:10 ESV

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.