James warns what a terrible weapon we have in the tongue, in our speech. To keep control of our tongue we must be perfect. Well, I wish I could say that I am perfect, but I know that I am far from this fact. The tongue does a wonderful job of helping us to eat, taste food, and to form words. Yet the evil lies not in the tongue itself, but in the mind of the one who uses it. The only one that I know of who is perfect and in full control is God. So, to be able to speak kind, encouraging words, words of truth and wisdom, I need God in control of my tongue. Jesus is my hope and my help. As Psalm 141:3 says: ‘Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.’

Often, we slip and say things that are not helpful, that are harmful, that are painful. We may easily be misunderstood by others; we say one thing and they hear another. At times I feel it is best to not say anything at all than to say something wrong. I know that there have been many who have said the words I want to say here with more elegance, but does that mean we should keep silent? Our words, though small and weak at times may heal a heart, and may bring a small amount of assurance and comfort to someone. We must watch and guard what we say, but we must also bring the healing balm of a kind word and not judgment.

So, how do we go about this? With the help of God and the Spirit to guard our tongues; to change our thinking and give us the correct thing to say. We all stumble as James said, but when we stumble, we must get up again; with the help of God, we will do this. None of us have reached the state of perfection, so we must rely on God’s help. With God’s understanding, we may have the understanding to know that we also must be forgiving and not so sensitive about the words of others. Sometimes just being with someone and letting them know that we care is better than a thousand words.

James gives us the solution in verses 17-18 of chapter 3: ‘But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.’

We need to go to God for the help we need to tame our tongue, we need God to tame our hearts and mind and guide us with his Spirit. We need to submit to God. May we pour out the healing balm of love and compassion as we do so.

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