JAMES 3:2-5 THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 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.

Throughout Scripture we are given examples of how size and power are not necessarily directly related. God defeated the great Midianite army with only 300 Israelites under Gideon (Judges 6 – 7). Repeatedly we read of yeast transforming the whole lump as both a positive and negative power (Mark 8:15; Luke 13:21). In addition, Jesus uses the illustration of the mustard seed for both the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:33) and the power of faith (Matthew 17:20).

St. James gives us examples from earthly life of the same principal. Of course we live at a time when the devastating power of splitting the invisibly small atom is all too well known. Sometimes it is the seemingly insignificant elements that determine the course of history and of our personal lives. When it comes to landing a job or joining a social group, a word spoken can determine our success or failure, whether the word was carefully considered or given in haste, mean-spirited or misinterpreted. St. James would not have us underestimate the power of the tongue.

As a craftsman takes care to properly maintain the smallest working parts of his tools in good order and a ship’s captain pays close attention to the condition of his rudder, the disciple of Christ must look to his tongue. Maintenance of the tongue is accomplished by keeping proper control. And when the tongue is controlled so is one’s life.

The time to deal with the tongue is before you employ it. Pay attention to your tongue. Understand the power of the tongue and treat it with due respect. Don’t light the matches until you have made sure there is no dry brush nearby.

I submit my tongue to your will, O Lord. Many of my sins have been mediated through my tongue so I confess my misuse of the gift of speech you have given me. I now give it back to your control and ask that you transform it into a powerful instrument for your kingdom. Amen.