Our Words

I’ve been immersed in the book of James for the last several months. Knowing that I was going to be taking the BibleLife Community (my online, Bible study membership) through James for February and March, I spent November and December writing James Scripture Journey in preparation. January was preparing for the study and now we’re in the thick of it.

In fact, Kari and I decided to host an in-person study as well, and we have about a dozen Creeksiders discussing this powerful letter each week.

While there are heaps of hard topics covered in this short letter – favoritism, trials, material wealth, and pride (to name a few!) – there is one that God has had me focus on day after day.

The words that come out of my mouth.

In all five chapters, James writes something about the words we say. Here are the two I can’t get out of my head…

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26

Worthless. Really? Not “less effective.” Not “ineffective.” Worthless.

If I’m honest, I don’t live like I believe this. And it’s not just “not saying swear words.” What about gossip? What about talking down to someone? What about speaking words that condemn someone else?

But wait! That’s not all! (Insert infomercial voice here.)

“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” (James 3:2)

This is how James begins chapter 3, the chapter in the Bible that most directly addresses the damaging impact of an unbridled tongue. And he does it with the opposite of what he says in chapter 1.

The unbridled tongue makes our religion worthless. A tongue in control leads to perfection. (That word means whole, complete, fullness.)

In case you skimmed this, here’s the short version of the conversation God and I have been having the last four months…

“Hey Keith. Do you want to make your faith in Me worthless to the people you encounter? Say whatever you want. Do you want to be perfect, mature, and complete? Bite your tongue.”

Yikes! It’s about time I take my words a lot more seriously.