James 3 — The Power of Our Words

James 3

Words are powerful.

A few simple words can encourage someone who is hurting, or they can wound someone deeply. Words can build relationships, or they can tear them apart.

James 3 gives us a serious warning about the power of the tongue. But it also points us toward something greater: the wisdom that comes from God.

We All Stumble

James begins by reminding those who teach God's Word that they carry a greater responsibility.

Teaching God's Word is a privilege, but it is also a responsibility. Those who teach must take care that their words accurately represent God's truth.

But James isn't speaking only to teachers.

He quickly turns his attention to something every one of us struggles with.

Our words.

That's a humbling statement.

We all stumble.

Sometimes we say things we wish we could take back.

Sometimes anger gets the better of us.

Sometimes we speak before thinking.

Sometimes our words reveal attitudes in our hearts that we would rather keep hidden.

James isn't pretending that controlling our words is easy.

In fact, he compares the tongue to several small but powerful things.

A Small Tongue With Great Power

James uses the example of a horse.

A horse is a large and powerful animal, yet a small bit placed in its mouth can direct where it goes.

He then compares the tongue to a rudder on a ship.

Then James makes his point:

Our tongues may be small, but our words can have enormous consequences.

Think about how one sentence can change someone's entire day.

A kind word can give someone hope.

An encouraging word can give someone courage.

A sincere apology can begin healing.

But harsh words can leave wounds that last for years.

That's why James takes our speech so seriously.

Words Reveal the Heart

Jesus taught that what comes out of our mouths reveals what is inside us.

Our words aren't simply random.

They often reveal what is happening in our hearts.

When we're angry, our words can expose our anger.

When we're bitter, our words can expose our bitterness.

When we're proud, our words can expose our pride.

But when God's Spirit is working within us, that should eventually affect the way we speak.

Our words should become more loving.

More patient.

More truthful.

More gracious.

More encouraging.

That doesn't mean we'll never say the wrong thing.

We are still human.

But as we grow in Christ, our speech should increasingly reflect Him.

Blessing and Cursing

James points out something that should cause every Christian to pause.

We can worship God with the same mouth that we use to tear down another person.

James says this should not be.

That is a powerful reminder.

The person we are talking about may be frustrating.

They may have hurt us.

They may have made terrible choices.

They may even have treated us unfairly.

But they are still someone made in the image of God.

That should change the way we speak about them.

Before we speak harshly about someone, perhaps we should stop and ask:

Would I say this if Jesus were standing beside me?

The answer may cause us to reconsider our words.

What Kind of Wisdom Do We Have?

James then shifts from the tongue to wisdom.

There is a reason these subjects appear together.

Wisdom affects how we speak and how we live.

James warns about earthly wisdom that produces jealousy and selfish ambition.

But godly wisdom looks very different.

Look at those characteristics.

Pure.

Peaceable.

Gentle.

Willing to yield.

Full of mercy.

Full of good fruit.

Without partiality.

Without hypocrisy.

That's the kind of wisdom God wants to develop in us.

Godly wisdom isn't about proving that we're right all the time.

It isn't about winning every argument.

It isn't about having the last word.

Sometimes wisdom means knowing when to speak.

Sometimes it means knowing when to remain quiet.

Sometimes it means admitting that we were wrong.

Sometimes it means choosing peace instead of winning an argument.

Words That Bring Peace

James ends the chapter with a beautiful thought:

What are we planting with our words?

Are we planting peace?

Or are we planting conflict?

Are we encouraging people?

Or are we tearing them down?

Are we speaking truth with love?

Or are we using truth as an excuse to be harsh?

Every conversation gives us an opportunity to plant something.

We don't always get to choose how other people respond to us.

But we can choose what we put into the conversation.