The Power of Words- James 3

 

Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

We have a common theme of wisdom and speaking in our readings today.

A priest I know recently posted about the Proverbs from a book he is reading by Ellen Davis- a Theologian and Old Testament scholar. She said, 

“What the book of Proverbs under writes is a worldview closer to this motto seen posted over the door of an automobile repair shop: ‘Wisdom is the ability to anticipate consequences’” (Ellen F. Davis “Opening Israel’s Scriptures”).

 We see Wisdom laughing at those who didn’t head her warning. James is giving us wisdom today regarding the consequences of how we use our words. Consequences of using words.

There is danger in speaking. It’s easy to misspeak, or say things we later regret. … 

“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me”

We wish this were true, but we know that some of us might rather the person punch us in the gut. Words can sting, and they can sting for years. Words can end a life-long friendship. Words can mean two family members never talk to each other again. Words can crush the dream of a child. Words can cause us to spiral into a depression. This is the small spark that can set the forest on fire that James speaks about.

Words can also be used powerfully to motivate us to do good. The words of Jesus have changed the world. Many of us remember the words of someone who encouraged us, as if they were said to us yesterday. A eulogy can bring us to tears for love of the one we have lost.

So, words are powerful. And because we easily make mistakes with our words, we should be careful because of the great harm they can cause.

James makes this interesting connection between our words and our lives. He says that our words are like a bit in the mouth of a horse or a rudder of a ship. They are both small, but used to direct a large animal and a large ship. Because they are small, we might be tempted to discount them, but that would be a mistake. James is saying that our words have the power to direct our lives. That isn’t a connection we often make. … I think he might be suggesting that disciplining our words is connected to disciplining our lives.

For example, we know some people who work in the trades and can have some colourful words that we don’t like the kids to hear. On occasion they will slip up. They don’t have complete mastery over their words. It’s a habit that is hard to break when you are suddenly at a toddler’s birthday party. … I don't want to just pick on these friends, we all slip. We offend. We hurt. even when we don't mean to.  

In Luke chapter 6 Jesus says, 

“The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).

This reflects Jesus’ words from a couple of Sundays ago.

“There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile” (Mk 7:15). “For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mk 7:21-23).

So, our words express something that is going on inside of us. “It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks”. We sometimes talk about a Freudian Slip, where we accidentally express something inside us that we didn't want to let often know. Often qwe don't even realize we have done it. … In the list I just read, Jesus includes deceit and slander, which are particularly connected to words, though, many of the others can be expressed with words as well. We are surrounded  by deceit in the advertising that is always pushing in on us. And as we get prepared to vote it feels like some politicians are more content to slander their opponent than tell you what they stand for. ... The Scriptures warn about many other ways we can sin with our words. Things like- verbal abuse, cursing, boasting, quarreling, lying.

I'm going to pick on swearing a bit, not that that is the worst way to sin with your mouth at all. There are much worse ways to sin with words, but it is still worth talking about. ... Swearing is generally words that express contempt. Contempt is not a good thing for a Christian. You might remember in Matthew Chapter 5 Jesus speaks about anger. One of the things he says is 

“… if you insult [say ‘raca’ against] a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool’, you will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matt 5:22).

 One commentator said that ‘raca’ might come from the sound someone makes when they are gathering spit in their mouth. It is as if they are going to spit on the person, which is an action of contempt. As is calling someone a ‘fool’. It is an expression of contempt.

So, if we habitually swear using contemptuous words, they can have the effect of reinforcing a contemptuous view of the world and the people around us. It can also encourage others around us into a contemptuous view of the world as well. … So these words can both be evidence of what is inside our heart, but it seems to also reinforce a view in our heart. Our words overflow from the attitude of the heart. Our words also seem to reinforce that thinking in our own hearts, and help it spread to others. Some people use “self-talk” to motivate themselves. They tell themselves “you can do it!”. Well, I suspect that can work in more negative ways as well. … I think this teaching is especially important to consider in the present cultural context- maybe when we think about how to respond on social media.

Now, there is a place for just honestly expressing what is inside of you. This isn’t about just bottling things up and never saying how you are feeling. But I think James is trying to show us that words are very powerful, so we should be very cautious with how we use them.

James also tells us about the inconsistency in our speaking- 

“With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10).

Can I express my love for my mother, and then spit on a picture of her? I think James is drawing a similar connection between God and the image of God. ... 

It is interesting to hold this alongside our Gospel reading where Peter answers Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” with the faithful response, 

“You are the Messiah” (Mk 8:29).

 But then Peter starts to rebuke Jesus for saying he was going to suffer and die at the hands of the authorities (8:32). This contradiction showed that Peter was thinking in human terms, not on Divine terms. Peter’s rebuke showed his human understanding of the messiah’s role and he was ashamed of Jesus’ words. He was tempting him away from the cross, and so standing in his way, which is Satan’s role. Fresh and salt water were both pouring forth from the same fountain.


No one is suggesting any of this is easy. Even James says that 

“anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect” (3:2). 

 “…Every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (3:7-8).

 This is impossible without calling on the help of God. Though, I do think this has to be a true desire of ours, and it will require us giving effort as evidence of that desire. One of the things Dallas Willard said that I found very helpful was that ‘grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning’. You can’t earn God’s gift of transformation. But, our effort can be a kind of prayer that expresses our deep desire to be transformed- a desire for our words to be used for good in the world- To be consistent with living in the Kingdom. AMEN