Suzi Pitts

James 3:1-12

1Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.2 We 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.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or 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.5 Likewise, 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.6 The 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.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both freshwater and saltwater flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Reflection

Y’all- I’m a talker and promoter- A fast-moving, quick-witted, sweet talker that can sell ice to an Eskimo. I’m encouraging, enthusiastic, passionate, and creative in speech. I can be pretty good at getting people fired up in the direction I want to lead. This is a gift until it’s not, and on a bad day, a stumbling block that can bloody my toe, harm another and block the loving presence of the Lord that I live to share. Will you join me as we look at some of these sobering verses? Hang in there. If you are human, chances are you won’t get a perfect score on this inventory either.

Starting in verse 3, our scripture points out that a horse is steered by a small bit. A giant ship is steered by a tiny rudder. A forest fire covering thousands of acres can be started with a mere spark. We have a strong body, typically 5-6+’ in height and this tiny tongue can bless or kill with careless or harsh words. How small the tongue; how large the damage. Have you, like me, really hurt someone with a careless word? “But I was just trying to be funny! I didn’t mean it that way. Everyone else was teasing too! Don’t be so sensitive. It’s all in good fun.”

As they say on TV- but wait! There’s more.

In verses 9-10, it gets really convicting.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

 

Wow. Let’s talk about cursing. I am not talking about swearing when we drop a glass and it shatters. I am talking about cursing another person. There is so much I can get upset about: someone who cuts me off, or doesn’t merge nicely in Houston traffic, the person on the “other side” of our fractured political discourse (pick any hot button). Or that person who seems to have a separate set of rules and expectations and offends my sense of justice. So, there are times, dear reader, that I let it rip. The thing I lose in the anger is the fact that the “perpetrator” has been made in the image of God, just like me. Jesus died with that person’s name on his lips, just as he died for me. So then, how do we stay consistent in our speech?

 

Let’s look at the physical makeup of our tongues. This tiny organ has many nerves that go to the brain and can detect five tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. It’s powerful. When we imagine our words, will they be sweet or sour? Will they be bitter or salty? And finally, will they be umami? Translated from Japanese, umami means “essence of deliciousness.” It’s the savory taste that deepens the flavor.

That’s how I want my words to be flavored, with umami- the essence of deliciousness that is the love, grace, and mercy of Christ. I want to invite an ever-deepening authentic relationship with God and others. And when I practice my habits of prayer and weekly worship, studying the Bible in community, widening my friend group, telling the stories of God in my life, serving others and practicing generosity, it is then that this fast-moving, quick-witted, sweet talker has a chance.

 

Prayer:

Precious Lord,

Thank you for your scriptures. It is there where I read and apply what gives me abundant life in Christ. Because of your mercy, I get to try again. . . and again. Tame my tongue, I pray. May my words reflect your Holy Spirit that resides within me; building up, not tearing down, blessing not damning. Use me this very day, I pray, to season the world with umami, the essence of deliciousness that deepens relationships with each other and you.

It’s in Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.