I wanna know. Can indeed learn a lot more. Care to share?
Ever let words go when you're feelin' angry? Ever off the chain flesh out so to speak? What does your speech say about you?
Go through James 3:1–12 slowly for this passage gives us four hard truths about the power of our spoken-word-choices:
1. God will hold us accountable for our words.
2. Our words create a disproportionate impact.
3. Our tongue is like a wild animal that can tear people apart.
4. Our words should be consistent with our Christian testimony.
If your tongue has a habit of getting you into trouble as mine has at times, please take heart, believer. God’s Word also gives us guidance for safeguarding our speech and all our relationships. A few words can destroy so much or a few words can be used of God to do so much good. A small glass of water can’t be poured out only to multiply into a flood, but a small spark of fire can multiply and burn down a whole city.
“Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness..” James 3:4–9 #emph.mine
Psalm 12:3 — May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.
Psalm 39:1 — I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”
Psalm 73:8 — They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Proverbs 26:20 — Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
Exodus 5:2 — And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Exodus 15:9 — The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
2 Kings 19:22–24 — Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel..
The great author Gordon MacDonald tells us how a simple rebuke from a dear friend saved him thousands of times over-from hurting others via words and making a fool of himself. He was in Japan on (ironically) a speaking tour with a close friend of his, a man several years his senior As he and his friend were walking down a street in Yokohama the name of one of their mutual friends came up. And Gordon said something unkind about the person “it was sarcastic It was cynical It was a put-down, he recalls His friend stopped immediately and put his face right in front of Gordon and said, “Gordon, a man who says he loves God would not say a thing like that about a friend.”
In the midst of a speaking tour about God he had used ungodly terms to belittle another person. “My friend could have put a knife into my ribs, and the pain would not have been less, Gordon wrote later on “But you know something? There have been ten thousand times in the last twenty years that I have been saved from making a jerk of myself. When I’ve been tempted to say something unkind about a real brother in the Lord, or a sister. I hear my friend’s voice say, Gordon, a man who says he loves God would not speak in such a way about a friend.
Pre-think before you speak. Pray it before you say it. Think what would have happened to Gordon MacDonald’s relationship with that person he spoke ill of. Man, if Gordon’s unkind words had made it all the way back to that person.. OUCH!
And Gordon’s reputation including his credibility would have suffered damage as well. What are your verbal habits like? Consider your own vocal and social media experiences. Have someone else’s comments hurt you? How have you been guilty of speaking destructive, hurtful words about other people? Do you get verbal revenge on those who you’ve felt have done you wrong?
In the Bible James warns teachers to be very careful what they say because God will judge them more strictly (See James 31). Guess what.. that doesn’t mean everyone else gets a free verbal pass.
Jesus said we all would be held accountable for every word we speak out (Matthew 12:36). This includes the spontaneous words of anger we speak without even thinking. This includes words of gossip too. The most casual, thoughtless words can sometimes cause the most harm to others
Proverbs 10:19 says. “He who restrain his lips is wise because in the multitude of words sin is not lacking?”
It is a simple matter of doin’ some math — the words we speak out, the greater the likelihood there’ll be that some of them will be very regrettable. If not now, later on.
Let us not become desensitized, calloused inside, hardhearted or even careless about the words that we speak — especially when the emotion of anger swells.. or wells up from within. It is no wonder that the apostle James combined “slow to speak” and “slow to wrath” in the same verse (James 1:19). God will hold us accountable for our words.
The unredeemed mouth is literally the gate through which depravity exits.
On social media, with texting, chatting etc.. what do you say?
Right and uplifting ..words free from anger at God or people.. bring good to others (Prov. 10:21) and also to those who kindly speak them (v. 14; Prov. 13:2). I challenge you to gain control of your pie-hole so to speak.
Your life matters to God — all lives matter to God. Hello! They should to all of us too. Please don’t live all mad at peeps even if they aren’t good. One is good (God) and He loves you. He has a good plan too. Why choose angry like in some short-lived give me reparations kind of fad, or all sad, or bad? Choose rather to live glad in union with Christ, the Peacemaker. Let’s not live close with angry friends. Let’s not live with impure hot-headed words.
With your words, you can help to restore, to comfort, to encourage people, and to heal those who have been hurt (v. 18) and who have suffered because of lies (vv. 19–22). You can bring joy to those who are depressed and worried (v. 25).
Ever made a list from the Bible referring directly or indirectly to a tongue that’s off? The Bible speaks of a wicked tongue, a deceitful tongue, a lying tongue, a perverse tongue, a filthy tongue, a corrupt tongue, a bitter tongue, an angry tongue, a crafty tongue, a flattering tongue, a slanderous tongue, a gossiping tongue, a back-biting tongue, a blaspheming tongue, a foolish tongue, a boasting tongue, a murmuring tongue, a complaining tongue, a cursing tongue, a contentious tongue, a sensual tongue, a vile tongue, a tale-bearing tongue, a whispering tongue, an exaggerating tongue, et cetera.
May I ask, do ya see yourself anywhere in that list?
No wonder God put your tongue and mine in a cage behind our teeth, walled in by your mouth and mine.
Most problems of people are relate to the tongue — yep, most of them. It’s no time for anger at people instead of towards evil. Somebody said, “Remember your tongue is in a wet place, and it can slip easily.” The easiest way to sin is to sin with your tongue. Nothing is more representative of man’s sinfulness than his mouth. You and I can’t do any sin, but we can say anything sinful. Let’s not.
Wanna look at many types of speech? Like at the speech of prayer, the speech of proclamation, the speech of praise, the speech of performance (livin’ the life and letting your character and deeds speak loud), and speech of perfection (clean and edifying).
Guess what.. thee highest forms of speech for the new man would be those types of pure praise to Jesus Christ as well as of persevering in prayer for people. What’s priority number one for every believer?
Our biblical worship comes before our good works of service and witnessing. The former (intimate relationship) is our top priority ahead of everything!
Now dealing with the later type of ministry, how ’bout we touch on the speech of anger today. BTW This is related to the speech of emails and of social media today.
The best and worst of people respectively.. is related to the mind (sure, the attitude that speaks) as well as the mouth (clear communication).
The Bible says that if you’re able to bridle your tongue, you’re a perfect man. For in many things we offend all, but today people in general seem very afraid of offending anyone.. but God.
“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” Jam. 3:2 nlt
“..if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” esv
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.” James 3:1–3
“Then I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.” Isa. 6:5–7
Remember when Moses got angry and killed the Egyptian who had been beating a Hebrew and then Mo buried him in the sand (Exodus 2:11–12). It happened but God forgives --He still used him to bring deliverance.
Perhaps you’ve got some failures and brokenness in your life? Later on not so much confidence is seen in Moses. “But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “Since I am unskilled in speech, why would Pharaoh listen to me?” Exodus 6:30
“Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land.” But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?” Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge concerning both the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt” Exodus 6:11–13
“Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.” Jeremiah 1:6
“May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing or take part in works of wickedness with men who do iniquity..” Psalm 141:2–4
“Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19:13–14
Q: Do you periodically have an issue with Feelin' majorly ticked-off inside? Let’s see that addressed and fixed asap. Turn, trust, count the cost and come to Christ right here and right now. Today. He can forgive and change you.
“The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” Prov. 10:12–14 nkjv
So in what area are you weaker? Are there Bible passages that address this? Yes.
Q: Got some mean, hateful, bitter, or rude people in your life? Got some fears, some brokenness, some painful loneliness, some conflicts in your life? Can I tell you who helped me before?
Believer, would you pray something like.. God I want to know You the way You really are. I need illumination with your Bible. Please fill and empower me with Your Spirit, Lord. I mean so that I can better follow and serve You ..Your (Bible) way.. instead of my own way. Help me show love to people and even to my enemies.. in order that You might be seen in me. So You’ll have mercy on em and save them. Those I come in contact with. Help me today be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger as I go witness for You. Amen.
Let’s meditate upon, and memorize some of these great verses!
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov. 15:1
“A wrathful man stirs up discord, but one slow to anger calms strife.” Prov. 15:18
I’ve found that the tougher I go on my mouth (not in physical sorta way), the easier life goes on me! The tougher I go on myself, the lighter or easier life tends to go on me. But the easier I go on myself, the tougher life goes on me. Who needs diabetes, an unnecessary motorized scooter, and all the costly bigger new clothes etc?
Paul said, “I buffet my body..” not “ “I buffet my body” (like at lunch, dinner or all day and night long). “No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” “But I chastise my body..” I want a disciplined mind, mouth, tongue as well as my other members! “I keep under my body” (I keep it under the lead of my spirit that’s submitting to the Holy Spirit), and bring it into subjection..” 1 Corinthians 9:27
“A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them. Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?” Prov. 27:3–4
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.” Prov. 16:32
THE MORE WORDS WE SPEAK, THE GREATER THE LIKELIHOOD WILL BE THAT SOME OF OUR WORD CHOICES WILL BE VERY REGRETTABLE. IF NOT NOW, LATER ON. PRE-THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!
Our words create a disproportionate impact people. That is to say, the size of the tongue, or the size of that paragraph with a few simple words in it, stands in stark contrast to the size of the trouble or pain they can cause to God and to others (See James 3:3–6).
In the same way a small bit can be sued to quire a strong horse or a small wooden rudder can be used to turn a giant ship on the sea, a seemingly insignificant word can shape the course of a person’s life. How often do we hear reports of a politician or “star” with celebrity being caught off guard near a hot mic left near them?
After delivering an inspiring noble speech, they make a flippant remark that is picked up by a mic they thought had been turned off. The microphone captures their offensive comment, and someone broadcasts it to the whole world via social media. The “interwebs” be kind of amazing in that way. A few unguarded words can unravel all the good accomplished that were spoken in the preceding speech just delivered.
But hey, there is a very positive side to be considered of such disproportionality as well. Just as a single unkind or unguarded word can hurt, can be destructive like a burning fire, a single kind, edifying, or complimentary word can be used to heal.. or better yet even.. to win someone on to righteousness in Jesus Christ. All will one day stand before their Holy Judge, but Christ is still the only way into our heavenly home.
So pray it, and then say it — go tell. The simple gospel.
Distilled thoughts on truth can help others to. Be bold, pithy, concise, clear — say it succinctly. Go share your own story and the gospel Message today! How will your friends or family members be saved if no one is sent to them, and if they never hear what’s so? Disproportionality works in both ways, bro.
“Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.” Prov. 3:30
“Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.” Prov. 9:8
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” Prov. 10:12
“The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.” Prov. 11:24
Only by pride.. “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” Prov. 13:10
“A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.” Prov. 14:17
Our tongue is like a wild animal that can tear people apart if they are allowed to roam too freely.
If we imagine our tongue as an animal we should not picture them as sweet pets that celebrate and greet us when we arrive home. You know, when you walk through the door.
Our words can be more like a Bengal tiger or a bloodthirsty ravenous wolf (See James 3:7–8 again).
Ever watch cobra trainers in a documentary in India? You know humanity has succeeded in training and even taming some of the wildest most deadly creatures on this planet, but we have miserably failed when it comes to taming the speech of people.
Hey Christian, have you allowed God to take full control? Self control is a fruit of the Spirit. Some believers really think that when the Spirit comes into you, you’ll lose control of your faculties. You’ll run into walls and pillars and others. You’ll lose control of what you say. Not so!
Have you ever thought.. Man, I wish I’d never said anything like that! Our tongue can be so savage unless we each keep it on a choker chain and short leash. Words can tear people to shreds.. they can tear people apart.
“A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life.” Prov. 20:2
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” Prov. 10:12
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.” Prov. 16:32
Our words should be consistent with our Christian testimony at all times.
Not only can our words be impure or injure those around us, but they can also harm our witness for the Lord. Our speech is the number one revealer of our hearts.
Remember what Gordon MacDonald’s friend said directly to him? “A man who says he loves God would not say a thing like that about a friend.”
For a Christian to speak in an ungodly way is SO inconsistent at best and SO hypocritical at worst. James says that blessings and curses should not come from the same mouth any more than salt water and fresh water can come from the same spring (See James 3.9–12).
“A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.” Prov. 14:17
“If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.” Prov. 14:29
“The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame.” Prov. 14:35.
“Anger is never without reason, but seldom with a good one.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
“A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.” Prov. 14:17
“Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.” Prov. 17:1
“A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.” Prov. 21:14
OUR SPOKEN-WORD-CHOICES REFLECT BOTH OUR HEART AND OUR OWN RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.
In John 13 35, Jesus says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Each time you or I open our mouths to speak we have the power to edify, to help, to bless others as bona-fide representatives of Christ. But if we are not careful, we may sin by insulting God directly, or someone God has made in His own image. Our words are the greatest indicators — they reflect our heart and our relationship with Jesus.
Want to be Protecting Your Tongue And Others From You?
That’s a super good choice. There is only one way to protect your tongue and guard your heart. God in Proverbs 4.23 identifies the heart as “the wellspring of life” (NIV ‘84). It has great potential when it’s fully give over to the Lord, but can decimate lives when it is not. Christian, you now have a new nature inside of you. You have two natures in there, so feed the new nature what’s good. Don’t be sowing to the old nature.
“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.” Jeremiah 17:9–10 msg
"The heart is deceitful above all things and it is extremely sick; who can understand it fully and know its secret motives?" Jeremiah 17:9-10 amp
And according to Christ, the things that defile us spring from our heart (See Mark 7:20–23). We can polish our appearance all the live long day, but eventually, our heart will reveal our true character inside. That was the problem with clean and spiritual looking the Pharisees and Sadducees. That’s why they were so sad you see! They looked so pious and holy on the outside, but spoke what was evil. They had murder in their hearts. Jesus described them as whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).
The mouth speaks what the heart gives it to say. If you are tempted, especially in moments of emotional anger, I mean to speak words that you will later regret, simply ask the Lord to give grace to get you through without sinning. Ask for help from the One who gets it. One way to do this is to create a prayer based on Scripture — on praying the Word (with verses that address the sudden anger flair up).
“A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows.” Prov. 18:6
“Casting lots causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart.” Prov. 18:18
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my firm, immovable rock and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19:14 amp
“Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” Ps. 139:23–24 amp
Let’s pray those words! Amen.
“A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.” Prov. 18:19
“There are two sides to every question: my side and the wrong side.” ~ Oscar Levant
“If someone has a hot temper, let him take the consequences. If you get him out of trouble once, you will have to do it again.” Prov. 19:19
“Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Prov. 21:9
Some people are like a rational animal. They always seem to lose their temper when they are called upon to act responsibly in accordance with the dictates of mature reason.
“He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail.’ Prov. 22:8
“Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.” Prov. 22:10
“Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” Prov. 22:24–25
“Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.” Prov. 25:17
“The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.” Prov. 25:23
Our words say a whole lot about us.. who we really are.. and they have the power to shape the future before each of us. According to Proverbs 18:21 (amp) God says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”
Your tongue and mine can bring death or life to people. Those who love to talk a lot need to focus. We all need to be cautious because all of us will reap the consequences of what we casually say. It could mean real rewards for you, believer! It could mean wonderful opportunities and duties for you through the (soon coming) whole millennium and beyond that. Please choose those words, the timing and tone carefully.. and choose them well very consistently. Let your words bear testimony to the strong grace and peace that is ours in Christ Jesus. Let’s look to and point to our perfect Example of good speech — He was and still is a Peacemaker for people.
“He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.” Prov. 26:17
“Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?” Prov. 27:4
“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.” Prov. 26:20–21
“He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.” Prov. 28:25
“There are some people who seem to love full on confrontations. And sadly, there are even some people like that in some so called churches today. Makes me feel like asking them, Do you feel like you have the gift of complaining? Carefully evaluating is one thing and being a fruit-inspector is one thing, but have you been granted the gift criticism, or of nitpicking, or of living all whiney and gripey? Listen, when someone seems to enjoy constantly running others down, it’s because something is wrong in their spiritual life. Never be surprised to find that the person who murmurs and whines the most and is critical of the smallest things in the lives of others.. is guilty of something far worse. Why live so contentious always arguing? It just confuses the watching bystanders as to who the fool is. I’ve discovered in healthy Bible teaching churches a whole lot of truly spiritual people who are not hypercritical. It’s wonderful. They’re so gracious and compassionate towards others like my Lord is (only He is far more merciful). Please turn, trust (Jesus Christ), and daily go to God in pray as well as to a healthy church (of grace).” ~ @KurtwVs
If you make peace upwards the results will be peace with those outwards. They might not opt to gain peace, but you’ll sure have peace towards them — it’ll help.
“He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.” — Ephesians 2:1
O Prince of Peace, keep us, we pray,
From strife and enmity;
Help us to speak with loving words
That quell hostility. — JDB
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” — Jesus, in Matthew 5:9
How blest are those who persevere
To bring a conflict to an end;
And if the peace of Christ takes hold,
An enemy becomes a friend. — D. De Haan
“Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath.” Prov. 29:8
“If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace Prov. 29:9
“The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, but the upright seek his well-being.” Prov. 29:10
Can believers ever be angry without wrong-doin’ a.k.a. sinning? Yes. Remember the time when sinless Jesus expressed anger?
“An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.” Prov. 29:22
“The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.” Prov. 19:11
“He who sows iniquity shall reap vanity, and the rod of his anger shall fail.” Prov. 22:8
