The Tongue: A Restless Evil & Filled with Deadly Poison

To be sure, there is much in the book of James that even the best-of-the-best of theologians have a difficult time understanding; however, there is a portion of it that is very clear and unmistakably true: "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity, the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison."

I well-remember the teaching I received beginning in my early teens about that huge screen, upon which everyone's life story would be revealed on judgment day. I can also remember the fear and shame that would settle upon me when I would stop long enough to consider that every idle word I spoke, even every thought I had, would be exposed for all the world to see and hear.

There was something strange about this teaching, something very strange and it was this: those of us who received this teaching were far more concerned about our words (and our thoughts) being revealed to the entire world on that dreaded "judgment day" than we ever were about the effect they were having on the lives of others--"then and there."

Somewhere along my journey, I came to understand that God burned all the video of His children's behavior problems and, consequently, no one would see anything, which, to be quite honest, was a tremendous relief! To be sure, it made me appreciate Jesus much more!

Interestingly, with that problem out of the way, I had to face that to which this heretical teaching had blinded me: the fact that all that terrible film has been burned--past, present, & future--does not change the fact that no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison; a fire set on fire by hell; a fire that sets on fire the course of our lives.

Both fresh and bitter water do not come from the same fountain, at least not at the same time.

I am praying that the words of our mouths (what we say) and the meditations of our hearts (what we think) will be acceptable and pleasing to Him, especially mine.

Your Pastor