The Tongue's Potential for Good or Evil – Part 2

Jose joined our church youth group halfway through high school. Moving to a new place and trying to make friends at that age is challenging enough, but on top of that, his English wasn’t very good. Despite language and cultural barriers, he tried his best to fit in, and I think most of us were kind and compassionate towards him. 

Personally, I don’t remember doing or saying anything super impactful to him. I didn’t spend any time with him outside of our youth group, and I never saw him after we graduated. So, I was surprised when he tapped me from behind at our 10-year high school reunion to say hello and introduce me to his wife. I reciprocated by introducing my wife to him, and in the course of our conversation, he shared how much my past kindness and encouragement had meant to him. 

I was floored. I feel like I could’ve been a much better friend to him. But it turns out that kind actions and kind words go a long way in people’s lives.

As I mentioned last week, our words are powerful. What we say, and how we say it, matters. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). So, we ought to be wise in how we speak to others.

James 3:9-12 reads, “With [our tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”

In the New Living Translation, the last part of verse 10 reads: “Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” Yet, it happens so often. This begs the question: how can we resist the pull to use our tongues in fleshly, hurtful ways and instead use them to love, bless, and encourage others? 

The rest of James 3 provides us with some very practical help.

James 3:13-18 reads, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Let’s break this down. First, we need to check our hearts. There is wisdom in doing so. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). The words that escape our lips—or our fingers—reflect what’s going on in our hearts.

Second, we need to confess to God (and others) what’s going on in our hearts. Confession is simply agreeing with God about the truth. Notice what James says in the above passage. If something ugly is happening in our hearts, we shouldn’t cover it up by boasting and lying. Instead, we are to bring it into the light because it’s there that it begins to lose power over us.

Third, we need to repent of what’s going on in our heart. Notice how James contrasts the wisdom of the world versus the wisdom of God. One is full of jealousy and selfish ambition; the other is pure, peaceful, gentle, full of mercy, etc. Practically speaking, repentance is the way we turn away from sinful attitudes and adopt God’s mindset. 

Finally, with our hearts in the right place, we can bless the Lord and others made in His image. Our words will be pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, merciful, impartial, and sincere. And “a harvest of righteousness” will be sown through them to those around us.

Friends, this is powerful! We can genuinely and unassumingly make an impact on those around us by walking in God’s wisdom. Just as I was unaware of my impact on Jose’ life, you might never know the impact your kindness and compassion can have on someone else.

Ponder this: How is the Lord leading you to be wise with your words this week?