James 3:1-12

16th Sunday a. Pentecost 16 09/12/21 | Sermon on James 3:1-12 | by Brad Everett |

Most of us are familiar with the saying “talk is cheap”, which suggests that words and deeds are two very different things. That what really matters are actions not words—a popular and commonly accepted view in our culture.

But such a notion is foreign to James. For him, talk isn’t cheap, it’s precious and powerful, not to be thought of as less than action, because they are of a whole. Note that James doesn’t talk so much about words and deeds in this letter, as he does about faith and works, because both words and deeds are works that put faith into practice and make things happen. Part of this understanding likely comes from the Hebrew mindset, where “word” wasn’t just something written or spoken but also carried the sense of an event, a happening e.g. the creation story from Genesis 1 where God “spoke” the world into existence.

So, when James writes today about speaking and taming the tongue, he’s addressing a crucial matter for both the individual believer and their community. What one says is of vital importance, as it has the ability to shape and transform, in many and various ways both the speaker and the world they inhabit.

He begins by noting the significance of teachers, and the power they wield to form and mould their hearers and students. He allows that no one is free from making mistakes, even in something as important as teaching—as none of us are perfect. But then he shifts gears from simple mistakes of speech, to the matter of careless and deliberately destructive talk.

One might be tempted to read James’ description of the tongue as exaggeration and overstatement to try and make a point. But if we stop for a moment and consider what he says in the light of our own experience he’s uncomfortably accurate.

James writes of the untamed power of our words. All of us are familiar with the experience of saying something harsh and hurtful before thinking, as well as to our shame, speaking in such a manner deliberately. And we are also painfully aware of what it’s like to be on the receiving end of such words spoken by mistake or on purpose.

We know the challenge of listening to someone who only seems to see the bad side of everything, as well as the blessing of one who sincerely can speak of hard things yet be aware of God’s gracious presence in it all. As well, we are aware (or should be) how our hearts, minds and spirits feel after spending time complaining with others about troubles real or imagined and how we feel after edifying conversations intended to encourage (i.e. give courage) to one another in the midst of troubles and trials. Further we are aware (or should be) of how those experiences impact the remainder of our day and those we interact with afterwards.

Keep in mind when James wrote this letter, the basic forms of communication were word of mouth, face-to-face conversation or letters which were a format available to those who could not only read and write but who could find the means to have the messages transported. It’s within these limits he writes of the tongue as a fire. How would he describe it today with the almost instantaneous communication of anything and everything via radio, TV, cell phones, the internet and social media, to anyone and everyone? Using his fire analogy, some days can feel like being caught inside a raging inferno as we are bombarded by anxiety and anger, frustration and fear.

Even if we manage to keep clear of the electronics to try and preserve our own sanity, we can’t help but run into people who eagerly share the latest “news” (to use the term loosely), feeling entrapped and engulfed by the latest panic or outrage. That’s not meant harshly—when confronted with bad news it’s common to want tell someone else in the hopes they can share the burden of the newest catastrophe, or maybe even have a word of hope to ease the angst.

It becomes problematic when the other person doesn’t speak to ease the affliction but instead adds to it with further worry, catastrophic speculation or ire, simply adding fuel to the already raging firestorm.

In today’s text, James points us to a better way of living—to the life Jesus died and rose to give us. This isn’t instruction about being nicer, more polite, pleasant or civil in our conversation. Nor is it intended to be a judgmental diatribe enumerating the many and various faults of our tongues and speech.

It’s direction out of the speech fueled inferno we find ourselves immersed in these days—specifically, making sure we aren’t fanning the flames.

For starters, pay attention to the words we say and the thoughts we think. By virtue of our baptism, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Yet, if we notice a steady stream of negativity coursing through our mouths and minds, we need to stop and reflect on why that is. As James remarks, just as a spring doesn’t pour forth fresh and brackish water, neither should blessing and cursing indiscriminately come from our mouths.

And let’s think of blessing and cursing in broader terms than we might normally. Blessing is that which builds up, encourages, edifies, strengthens and in ways that intentionally or indirectly point the other person to Christ i.e. either mentioning God specifically, or at least leaving them with a sense of the blessed hope of God’s presence with them.

Conversely, cursing is not just the use of those expressions categorized as “swear words” nor even deliberately speaking ill of someone. Cursing is speech that diminishes, depletes, and discourages another, extinguishing what hope they may have had, intentionally or indirectly pushing them to question God’s presence in their life.

To be clear, blessing isn’t mindless optimism or looking at the world through “rose-coloured glasses”. It’s the gift of looking directly and unflinchingly at life and by grace speaking of God’s presence and hope in it all—even if our Lord may seem hidden.

Likewise, cursing isn’t to be justified as “honesty” or “realism”, as if an exaggerated and speculative focus on the negative is the most accurate interpretation of events.

So, to use a general example, we are in the midst of a federal election—how many news stories and opinion pieces have you listened to or read, how many conversations have you participated in about this, that left you feeling better and more hopeful at their conclusion (and not feeling better for the fact that it finally ended)? How much of it was negatively focused on individuals or groups, making assertions or assumptions as if they were categorical facts? And were the individuals discussed, spoken of in terms which demonstrated they are dearly loved children of God created in his image—regardless of how much one agreed or disagreed with various decisions and policies they may advocate?

In short, based on the above understandings of blessing and cursing, how much of each were you engaged in or exposed to, and were you and those you were with encouraged in God’s peace or discouraged to despair?

Now reflect overall on how much blessing and cursing you engage in or are exposed to regularly, and are you and those you are with, encouraged in God’s peace or discouraged to despair?

Today’s letter from James makes clear the power of words—those we speak as well as those we listen to. Even though we may find ourselves surrounded by a firestorm of cursing and discouragement, James reminds us that we have not been left on our own. The heart and mind resting and trusting in the peace and presence of God, are only guarded from the surrounding inferno, but are able to push it back for the sake of themselves and others, as they speak and bear witness to God’s blessing their lives and the world.

Pr. Brad Everett
Calgary, AB, Canada
e-mail: everettsts@gmail.com