We return this morning to our series of messages from the book of James, arriving today at chapter 3, which is, I believe, the heart of this little – but very powerful – letter. I recently expressed my belief that chapter three is the heart of James, and I think that is true for a couple of reasons. First, what James says about words and the power of those words really resonates with all of us. Each of us knows the pain of harsh words as we have been on the receiving end and the giving end of such words. And second, each of us knows the difficulty of controlling words that are spoken. Just as we cannot control what others say, neither do we have much success with controlling our own words.
Follow along with me as I read James 3:2-12 –
2We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,
8but not human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
I want to share these important points about our words this morning – words can encourage or tear down; words can heal or tear apart; words can bring justice or enable injustice.
Words can encourage or tear down.
When Tanya and I were in California we did not see any active wildfires, but some of the fires started in places where we had been earlier in our trip (not because we were there, I should add), and we did see plumes of smoke, scorched hillsides, and aircraft that were flying overhead to drop water and fire retardant in an effort to contain the blazes. Last weekend, we were sightseeing up in the hills there, which were incredibly parched and dry. Walking around there were No Smokingsigns posted, which seemed a bit redundant to me, as the fire hazard seemed obvious, but not to everyone, unfortunately. I was walking along the edge of a hillside and a guy walking in front of me was smoking a cigarette, and I kept thinking, please do not flick that over the hill, or this entire mountain will be ablaze in a matter of moments! Some things should just be obvious. I will always think of that scene when I read these words of James – 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. One spark. One tiny spark can create a blaze that explodes out of control and wreaks so much havoc on all that is in its path, and just like the time it takes to restore the damage of that fire, it can take an incredible amount of time to rebuild and restore the damage done by words that tear down.
This is why Paul wrote what he did in the passage that served as our Call to Worship this morning, culminating in verse 29 of Ephesians 4, which says, do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. James reminds us in such a powerful manner of the way in which our words can encourage or tear down. And this is why James uses such pointed language, and why this passage has such very, very pointed language. In this passage, James has sharpened his pen to a very fine and precise point, writing about the power of words and the untold damage they can do. Though that verse is just a few short phrases, it is among the sharpest of all passages in the Bible.
We all know the truth of James’ words, don’t we? Who among us hasn’t been cut to the core by words directed at us, and who among us hasn’t felt the pain of regret for something we have said? So why do we say what we say, especially when it causes hurt? The truth is, sometimes we want to hurt another person, so we draw out the sharp sword of angry words, of spiteful comments, and painful accusations. Perhaps we resort to ways of communicating that are unhealthy because we do not always know how to engage in honest, helpful conversations, or it is because we simply are angry and want to lash out in that anger and cause pain for someone else. Whatever the reason, there has been far too many painful words said in our world, and each of us has been on the receiving end of those words or been the person who has poured them out on others. James was well aware of the damage done by words, so his writing is an effort to try and stop those words before they are ever spoken. He knew that hurtful words are often spat out in a moment of anger, when taking a moment to allow emotions to cool would spare a great deal of heartbreak.
Words can encourage or tear down. I can remember words from my teachers many years ago, and some of their words encouraged and some did not. I remember my 2ndgrade teacher yelling at us one day in class. It was in the winter, and many of us had the sniffles, and I think I was the one sniffling more than any of the others. I can still hear her, angrily yelling at us, and looking right at me as she shouted stop that infernal sniffling! I was in 2ndgrade when that happened, and I still remember it. I was afraid to say anything or almost to move the rest of the year, and that’s pretty much all I remember about her. In fact, I cannot remember a single word she spoke the rest of that year outside the words she shouted at us. But my 3rdgrade teacher, Mrs. Marsh, was an encourager, and I’ve spoken of her before and of some of her words that have stayed with me over the years. Two teachers, both remembered, but for two different kinds of words. I have never regretted speaking an encouraging word, but I sure have more than my share of regrets about the words I have spoken that have torn down.
Words can heal or tear apart.
James can certainly teach our culture an important lesson about the power for good – and the powerful damage – that come from words. The tenor of conversation in today’s world is not, I think it is safe to say, one that would be characterized as contributing to a sense of healing when it comes to language. Social media, I believe, has been an especially corrosive force, debasing the tone of conversation and serving as a worldwide conduit for harsh and judgmental words that do little to contribute to the public good (although to be fair, I should also add that it has not been a total failure either, as it has helped to spur movements of democracy, equality, and at times been a driving force for justice, but those are more the exception than the rule, I think).
I would be very interested to know what was in the mind of James as the Spirit moved him to write these words. It seems to me that something is behind them, as nothing is written in a vacuum. Perhaps James had experienced firsthand the pain of being on the receiving end of harsh words, or perhaps he had experienced the sting of regret for words he had spoken. Maybe he saw the damage done to churches through gossip that swept through congregations, or angry words exchanged over differences of opinions or perspectives (believe it or not, such things do happen in churches). Maybe he was even thinking of Paul and Barnabas, as they parted company over a disagreement about Mark. Harsh words were spoken, and two leaders of the early church parted company over their disagreement and their words (Acts 15:36-41). II Timothy 4:11 and Colossians 4:10 give evidence that they reconciled, and I think it would be nice to know what brought about their reconciliation. Was there a third person who finally intervened and said, come on guys; it’s time to put this behind you? What words of healing were exchanged between them? We don’t know, but it’s encouraging to know that words of healing did come.
The Scriptures are full of healing words, and among the passages to which I have turned for healing are the 23rdpsalm –
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Isaiah 40:28-31 –
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Romans 8:28-31
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:1-7
1Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-11 –
1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
2 and he began to teach them. He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, forin the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13 –
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
I Corinthians 13 –
1If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
All of these passages, and so many more, speak words of healing, of restoration, of power, of strength, and so much more. So much more. The angry, pointed fingers, for instance, that took aim at the woman brought to Jesus were no match for the healing words of Jesus – let he who is without sin cast the first stone(John 8:2-11, 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”). The words of her accusers were meant only to tear down and tear apart. Her accusers were not interested in bringing either hope or healing; no, they were interested only in tearing down with their harsh words of judgment. What a difference the words of Jesus meant. Those who shunned and stood in the way of Zacchaeus were interested only in vengeance upon him, but Jesus brought words of healing – Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today(Luke 19:1-10, 1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost”). What a difference those words made to Zacchaeus! And on and on we could go, but we understand, don’t we?
Words can bring justice or enable injustice.
It is very necessary, I think, to note an important distinction about our words, and it is this – being nice is not always the goal or even a worthy goal. Now, I understand that sentence seems to contradict what I have already said this morning, but here’s what we need to remember: Jesus was not always nice when it came to the words that he used. Jesus, in fact, could be very harsh and very pointed in what he had to say. Yes, Jesus spoke with very encouraging words and he spoke with healing words, but he also spoke, at times, hard words. And here is why – because sometimes words of justice are needed, and words of justice often need to be harsh. He did not speak harshly against everyone and he did not speak harshly without good reasons. Jesus spoke harshly against those who had power and influence and who used that power and influence to take advantage of others, to abuse others, and to limit the options and freedom of others. To fail to speak against such things is to enable those abuses to continue, which Jesus very much knew, and he was not going to allow those hardships to continue to be inflicted upon others. Here are some examples of when Jesus spoke in such a way –
“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?” –Matthew 23:16-17
And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” – Luke 11:39
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” – Mark 9:42
“But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.” – John 8:55
“You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” – Matthew 23:33
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” –Matthew 23:27.
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. –John 8:44
“You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.” ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” – Matthew 15:7
Ouch! Those are very blunt words, aren’t they?
I recently wrote a column in the Sentinel-Newsinwhich I criticized John MacArthur. John MacArthur is the pastor of Grace Community Church in California. Sometimes people ask me why I write such things. Isn’t that, they will say, harsh and judgmental? I will add that I do not disagree with John MacArthur about everything. I have listened to him on the radio on numerous occasions and have read some of his writings. But here is why I criticized him in my column – I did so because he said some things about women in church – and specifically about Beth Moore – that I believe are wrong. Now, I will absolutely acknowledge that I am not always right, and I will acknowledge that one of our difficulties is in determining who is right and who is wrong, but I absolutely believe that when a religious leader, a person who has influence over such large numbers of people, makes statements that have a profoundly negative impact upon others and whose words will limit opportunities for service and ministry for others, those words ought to be challenged. In fact, when Tanya and I were in California, the hotel where we were staying was not much more than a stone’s throw from John MacArthur’s church. I thought about going over to his church. I thought about it a while and decided not to because I knew I would not be able to get in to see him, and if I did, he wouldn’t agree with me and I wouldn’t agree with him so we would be wasting our time. He will, however, receive a copy of my Sentinel-Newcolumn in his mail this week, as will Beth Moore.
I had a professor in seminary who told us once that we need to learn the very difficult art of speaking the right word for the right time. That is no small feat, and perhaps that is why James writes, in verse one of chapter three, not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. Knowing the right word for the right time is not always an easy determination to make, and I have not always been successful in making that determination. When a person serves in a leadership position, their words are very important, and those of us in leadership often stumble in what we say. I will say, then, to anyone in a leadership position of any kind – do not be surprised or discouraged by criticism, as it comes with the position. I have received my share of criticism over the years, and some of it was well earned. Sometimes, I tell my young clergy colleagues of the importance of learning to live with criticism, and if they cannot deal with it, it is probably best to find another vocation. The prophets, who are often seen as individuals who thundered out judgmental words to the people were actually far more well-rounded than that too-simple description. The prophets knew the right words for the right time, and that is one of the ways in which true prophets were identified.
Words are so important, and James is correct in the way they can cause so much destruction. In fact, he goes so far as to say in verse 2 thatanyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfectas a testimony to the power of words both for good, and for ill. Take care in what you say. Use your words to encourage rather than tear down. Use your words to heal rather than to tear apart. But do not forget to use your words to issue a challenge to the powers of the world that seek to perpetuate injustice and to take advantage of others. Yes, that is difficult, but you can speak the right word for the right time!
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