The descriptions of the tongue in this passage are far from flattering. James paints such a horrible picture of the wicked tongue...if he didn't specifically address his remarks to "brethren," we wouldn't believe this section had any application to believers. How can his comments diagnose the condition of Christian tongues?
We need to remember the carnal nature in us is just as much alive as it ever was before we were saved. And when that unregenerate part of our nature lays hold of the tongue, it is fully capable of anything James attributes to it.
The tongue is a roaring fire (James 3: 5b, 6). We all know a tiny spark can set a great forest ablaze. We know a fire out of control licks up everything in its path. Only experienced firefighters can bring it to a halt.
It leaves behind blackened and scarred woodlands, incalculable losses, and heartache. Sometimes forest growth is curtailed for years. But do we know idle words do the same thing? They leave in their wake ruined reputations, ugly scars, and bitter memories. Thoughtless remarks have been the cause of stunting Christian growth and stifling service.
The tongue sets on fire "the course of nature." All human affairs feel the effects of a sharp tongue. The devil uses the loose tongue to forward his hellish purposes; consequently, "hell" ignites the tongue, and the tongue in turn starts a combustion in the whole of creation.
The tongue is "a world of iniquity"--a cosmos of unrighteousness (vs. 6). An unsanctioned tongue can be responsible for the reign of unrighteousness in the world. All kinds of injustices have been caused by a lying tongue. We ought to use the tongue to curb and condemn iniquity.
Its sad many professing Christians actually flatter and compliment the workers of iniquity, or they remain silent and never register so much as as single protest against lawlessness.
The tongue is an untamed beast (vs. 7). Men have domesticated wild and ferocious animals. They've made pets out of boa constrictors, leopards, lions, and falcons. They harness the power of the elephant and conduct experiments with the rat. But men don't have the capacity to tame the tongue.
They can't turn the tiger behind the teeth into a harmless kitten. In his own strength a man can't get the mastery over his tongue. Nevertheless, the omnipotent Holy Spirit can and does conquer this savage beast. He subdues it by His divine power. He changes the disposition of the soul and puts the praise of God upon the believer's lips.
The tongue is an unruly evil (verse 8a)--an ungovernable and restless depravity. The word for "evil" signifies a badness in the constitution. James is talking about the wicked Adamic nature--the inner and hidden source of evil. The tongue only manifests the depravity which lurks in the inner man...because of man's fall in Eden.
The tongue is a venomous serpent (vs. 8b). Paul says of unsaved people the "poison of asps is under their lips" (Romans 3:13). The tongue is full of deadly deceit. It can inject the poison of suspicion into the blood stream. It attacks the respiratory system and chokes off the life of its victim.
In verse 9, for the first time James suggests the potential good of the tongue. With the tongue "bless we God, even the Father." This is the legitimate function of the tongue--to eulogize God. Christ employed His tongue for this purpose. The psalmist said of Him, "Grace is poured into they lips" (Psalm 45:2).
Isaiah 42:2 describes His gentleness and lowliness. Christ never called attention to Himself and never bragged or shouted. Peter tells us He "did not sin, neither was guile found in His mouth (1 Peter 2:22).
What a disgrace and discredit to God it becomes when the same tongue which blesses God curses the creatures who are made in God's image. This kind of activity betrays an inconsistency that doesn't appear anywhere else in the world of nature.
The laws of nature forbid a spring should eject sweet water one day and bitter water the next (James 3:11). Fig trees never yield olives, and grape vines cannot produce figs (verse 12). They all bear according to their nature.
James wants us to understand when the Holy Spirit plants in us the divine nature, the expression of our lips will indicate it. Those who belong to the king will speak the language of the king, and they will "speak of the things...touching the king." With David they can say, "My tongue is the pen of a ready writer" (Psalms 45:1).
It behooves us all to consider what kind of literature our tongues are producing every day.
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