From The Same Mouth Comes…

Gettin’ right to it, I’m here today to chat about blessing, or in other words, praising our Lord Jesus and God the Father with the same unrestrained mouth as cursing our fellow man. James 3:10 says, “these things ought not to be so.” [see also Romans 12:14 and Matthew 5:42-48]

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January 2021, I began a study called, Steadfast by Courtney Doctor. It is a well-developed yet informal study of James. While this isn’t a review, per se, I highly recommend the book! I’ve studied James multiple times previously, and I’m marveling that the Lord has used Courtney’s book and suggested pace of study to give a fresh perspective and launch me into further personal research.

Wrestling my own predictably unpredictable tongue has been a lifelong battle. You can be sure a girl like me has plenty to say floating around in her head –seriously, the options never stop. Generally speaking, my confessed old inclination towards sharp, sarcastic, outbursting, emphatic, sometimes circumstantially vehement speech has necessitated quite a lot of curbing over the years. Thankfully, God mercifully helps when we ask!

Christ Followers Take Note

As I speak here, I’m assuming Christian friend, a shared love, and the highest value of Scripture. James’ inspired teaching regarding that which we allow to come out of our mouths (chapters 1 and 3) does not give room for rationalizing our tongues’ undisciplined use based on sudden emotional impulse, habit, heritage, redefined cultural definitions, cultural relativism, or relevance.

Have you heard similar justifications? I’m addressing those who knowledgeably defend such speech, unlike those just learning. Let’s get super honest for a moment—this sort of contrary, self-declared superior thinking doesn’t cut it in the light of God’s Word. Our heart’s cloaked intent and declared lack of love for God and man betray our best rationales.

Digging around a few online dictionaries and using a little help from the Blue Letter Bible, I was surprised to discover I had never before understood the curses mentioned in James are words used with the exact opposite intention of blessing. This cursing refers to actual ‘cursing’—like praying against, wishing evil against, speaking evil or destruction against another human created in God’s image.

Until the last decade or so, although I could recount a few places it’s mentioned in the Bible, I had never invested much thought about myself and every other human—being created in God’s likeness. I assumed God was telling us generally what he looks like. But apparently, God thinks much more about that than I could imagine. It affects how we treat and value people—so much so that even our speech with and towards each other matters to God.

Evidence Displayed

Disturbingly, we see evidence of people’s intent on cursing each other nearly every day on social media. God forbid such among Christian brothers and sisters; it isn’t Christ-like in the least. Yet if we are honest, we see it even there—God helps us evaluate our hearts’ intent towards each other and the words we use to speak.

Studying further, I realized that I hadn’t before connected that James 3:10 cursing isn’t the same as Paul’s Ephesians 5:4, “vulgarity” or Colossians 3:8, “filthy language.” Vine’s Expository Dictionary refers to these as “all that is contrary to purity.” Although each of these is a sin of uncontrolled speech, they are distinct.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

James 1:26 NKJV

War Still Waging

Despite the fact that I am a new creation in Christ, knowing the battles that still wage war in my head and the filter I ride like a bucking bronco over my thoughts and tongue, as I have been blessed with increasing years, I admit I’ve had a growing despair. What kind of crazy will come spewing out of me if the day comes that my mind can no longer control my speech?! There is absolute comfort in remembering God already knows, loves, and forgives me—still, I wonder, will I honor and bless Him on that day?

Shocking visions of old Bilbo Baggins from Lord of the Rings come to mind. Fictitious character as he is, I somehow relate to this sweet, dotty fellow, keenly aware of the ‘old man’ fleshy monsters still lingering beneath my skin. I rue them all.

Filled Up and Living a Life of Praise

Entrusting these imagined, worrisome cares to God, I am encouraged to remember many references about literally filling my mind with God’s Word –effectively squeezing the world out. Praise God, isn’t that an amazing thought?! James 1:21, Colossians 3:16-17, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Philippians 4:4-9 give some favorite hope and direction.

A cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, no matter how suddenly jarred.

Amy Carmichael

Searching God’s will for our tongue, wondering so many questions through my years as a born-again believer about why God wills what He does, I find myself all the more in love with Him and His Word –quite literally praising God! He is so patient, repeatedly informing us of His ways and giving us every opportunity to acknowledge and love Him with our lives. Because the words and intent that come out of our mouths matter to our Beloved, they matter very much indeed.

Are you experiencing people in your social media community who are comfortable with cursing each other? Do you, like me, sometimes struggle with Biblically inappropriate speech? 1 John 1:9 encourages us to come to Him. God gives grace and forgiveness even for such as this.

See more of Grammie’s posts with Conviction.