With the political climate being so negatively charged and
each side hurling accusations at each other, I thought it beneficial and
important to look at what Jesus and the Bible has to say about our speech. How are we to react to others in what we say and do, especially when there's so many lies being perpetuated by the media? I think you will find it surprising if not challenging, what the Bible says. No
study of this subject is complete without looking at the book of James who
was the brother of Jesus. In chapter one of James, he warns us “If anyone among you
thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own
heart and that one’s religion is useless” (v26). What an indictment! We don’t see too much bridling of the tongue
these days in the media, on-line and even with Christians condemning each other.
I was lambasted by a Christian author who told me that my previous article was
a bunch of lies. I wrote the article from the point of view of two friends who attended
the January 6th gathering at Washington DC. My intention was to tell the truth
as told to me. Some called me a jerk,(they were not believers) some brave, others said that I was
vindicated by several videos and articles that confirmed my words, but that is
not the total point of why I am writing this article. I want to bring to light
what the Bible encourages us to do as Christians, especially when we don’t
agree with a brother or sister or with someone we don’t consider a follower of Christ.
We can disagree with others, but it is how we use our tongue
that is so important. Jesus does not want us to back down from the principles of
the Word of God. He never spared words or tiptoed around the self-righteous or the power mongers. He
called the Pharisees “a brood of vipers and white washed tombs” (Matthew 23:27). So any picture of an always meek and mild mannered God and man is just incorrect. He knew who to "sock it to" and who to show kindness and forgiveness.
Jesus calls us to tame our tongue in dealing with the handling of truth
and the body of Christ. This is no easy feat! James explains in chapter 3: “For
we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a
perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (v.2). James considers the
person who can tame the tongue as perfect or complete. He knows how difficult a
task this is for us. We will all fall in this area and say things that are
unkind and hurt others, but we can apologize when necessary and must strive to control our tongue.
James explains, “Even so the tongue is a little number and boasts
great things. See how great of forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is
a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that is
defiles a whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and it is set on
fire by hell” (v5-8). Wow, that is some
pronouncement on the evil of the tongue, and you can see it played out everyday
on the news, in the media, on Facebook, twitter and the like.
We should be wary not to let our tongue set us on fire against
each other, especially those in the church. It would behoove us to practice
greater self-control in this area and confess our sins to one another,
especially when we attack another believer. We must be watchful and monitor
what we say. This will take a lot of wisdom and self-control. But it is something that is very necessarily,
especially in the church today.
We are admonished by James that our words are very important
and should bring blessings. James continues on this topic. “But no man can tame
the tongue. It is an unruly evil full of deadly poison. With it we bless our
God and father, and with it we curse men who have been made in the similitude
of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these
things ought not to be so.” (v 9 to 10). Even though it is very difficult to
do, we are encouraged to bless others, not curse them, especially when they
irritate us, challenge our belief’s, and say hateful words. I pray for the
woman who called me a liar and I must have said something to really annoy her, though
I was trying to just tell the truth. We all look at truth a little differently,
but we must strive to stay true to the truths of the Word of God.
What we say and how we express our beliefs is very important
to God. Our words can bring healing or they can bring death. We want to bring
life and blessing to others not curses. So how can we do this, if James even
admits “no man can tame the tongue”? Only by surrendering to the Holy Spirit and
putting on the “new self” can we be victorious. We don’t want to look like the world,
but a different creature— one made in the image of God, filled with His Holy Spirit
and His presence. So how do we do this practically?
When we season our words with grace and walk-in wisdom from
God, we will be on the right track. “But the wisdom that is from above is first
pure then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is
sewn in peace by those who make peace” (v 17). We are encouraged to make peace,
not to just keep the peace through compromising, but show others the way to
peace with God. Those are the peace makers. We don’t insist on our way, but we
show others the way to God and Jesus. We lead and guide. We challenge and love.
We sew righteousness and peace. We surrender our lives wholly to God.
I don’t know about you, but that is a very tall order, especially
when we as Americans and particularly New Yorkers, are known to speak our mind.
We have the right to “freedom of speech,” but this privilege should not be
abused. We as Christians should show the world what it is to truly love one
another with what we say and do and not be at each other’s throats or condemning.
Be mindful of what we say. Think before we speak. Weigh the impact of our words
before we say or write them. I’m speaking for myself as much as anyone else out
there. I want to speak truth and life, but I must do it in a way that doesn’t tear
down another, but challenges them to see truth. Though it may seem impossible,
we know that all things are possible with God!
I'd like to close with a verse which sheds light on how we should interact
with others in our speech. It is a verse I have chosen to mediate upon on Tuesdays, which is today. “I have been crucified with
Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in
the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me” (Galatians 2:20). This verse sums it up as to how we are to live. Mindful of
the life of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit living in us, nothing will be impossible.
Even taming our tongue.
Dear Father,
Please give us the wisdom, self-control and ability to speak
words of healing and blessing over the Body of Christ and the nation. In the
name of Jesus Amen.
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