A Wise Tongue

James 3:1-18English Standard Version (ESV)

3 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,[a] and set on fire by hell.[b] 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,[c] 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.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A+1+-+18&version=ESV)

As a teacher we have people watch us constantly to see how we respond in certain situations.  In fact, some students will challenge a teacher just to get a reaction.  The best way to stop their negative actions is not to react.  Depending on the purpose of the action, sometimes ignoring is the answer because they do not get what they want and their behaviors subside. 

Just like a teacher that loses their temper, we can ruin our testimony with one act of the tongue.  What we say to others and how we say it can either lift them up or put them down.  Equally as important is what we say about others.  If we continually talk behind their backs and ridicule them it ends up putting off a stinky aroma.  An environment where there are continual back stabs is unhealthy and yields no fruits.  People become dissatisfied and wary and burnout quickly. 

Wisdom is something that God will give us if we ask for it.  Much like patience, it takes practice.  What is it?  Here it is described as meekness or in other words, quietness, gentleness, humility. . .     In reality, wisdom is using your tongue in ways to build one another up, not put one another down.  Being wise in our own eyes is not wisdom from above.  Often times people think that wisdom comes from knowledge but once again this is a misconception.  Wisdom comes from God and God alone.  I can read every book on this earth, even the Bible, but if I don’t have wisdom from God all that knowledge is in vain.

Back to the teacher.  Why is it that a teacher will be judged stricter than any other person?  Because a teacher shows others how they to should act.  If we become impatient with our student and use our tongue to ridicule and put down then we are not being a good teacher.  If we teach the Word of God and then go about puffing ourselves up and putting others at a lower standard we are not displaying wisdom.  Anyone who aspires to be a teacher must also aspire to be wise.  They must use their tongues to proclaim the word of God and they must bridle their tongue and let God guide it.  I shutter to think that I have not always modeled the perfect behavior but I am thankful that God has forgiven me and continues to work in me.  As you seek Him, seek to be more like Him daily and let your tongue praise Him and let it be silent when there is nothing good to say.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila