“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” – James 3:6
Your words matter enormously! Jesus expects and commands His followers to live lives of genuine integrity, meaning wholeness and consistency. As Christians, we’re to be the same inside and out. Our appearances should match our attitudes, thoughts, and feelings. We’re to be the same in church, in school, at work, and at home. We’re to live lives of holiness and speak words of holiness at all times.
James in particular focuses in on the everyday inconsistencies of our lives that reveal profound sinfulness. He does so to help us eradicate that sin. Our inner sickness and sinfulness is often revealed by our words. If we’re followers of the Prince of Peace, our words (ALL of them) should be words of peace. If we’re followers of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, our words should be completely true and should be speaking life to everyone we encounter, not death. Even when we confront sin, we must do so with words of peace, truth, and life rather than uncontrolled anger, bitter poison, and raging fire.
Many Christians today seem to be fine with praising God with their mouths on Sunday morning and tearing down people with whom we disagree the rest of the week. That’s sinful! As James continues in chapter 3, they too are created in God’s image. There is no Christian integrity in praising God while verbally destroying His workmanship.
Carefully consider EVERY word you say, type, tweet, or share. Are these words that reflect Jesus, or words that stain you and burn down your life and others? Sinning in what you say is still sinning. Control your tongue!