Examine the Evidence
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
James 3:9-12
James uses the first 8 verses of chapter 3 to illustrate and emphasize the significant influence our words have on our life. Beginning in verse 9, James contrasts the good and evil ways we use our tongue. The idea that we can praise God in one breath and curse our brother with the next isn’t acceptable, “This should not be.” He reasons that this behavior does not make sense for a disciple of Jesus Christ. In fact, this type of behavior is impossible for a true disciple. He concludes his argument with emphatic comparisons about fresh or salt water and types of trees.
James’ logic is comparable to Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6:43-45. Jesus drew upon an age-old axiom, “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.” What we see and hear and touch provides evidence for identification. We humans not only understand this concept, we embrace the allure of an investigation. For example, criminal investigation scripts have for decades been a popular genre for movies and television. Yet, in our own lives, we tend to fail to see evidence (or ignore the evidence if it is known) which might reveal faults within us. Jesus continues his cautionary comments, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
An additional and related matter is that God asked us to follow Jesus’ example of love. We are commanded to love one another (John 13:34). John later makes the argument that loving God and loving our brother are joint commands, not optional choices (1 John 4:19-21).
If praising and cursing are evident in your speech, is it possible you have a blind eye to the truth? Maybe some cleansing needs to take place in your heart. God has amazing power to produce fresh water.
Dear Father, please help me to have the self-control to use my words wisely. I want to demonstrate my love for you by praising you. I also want to demonstrate my love for you by loving my brother. This should be evident in the way I speak to my brother. Please cleanse my heart and strengthen my resolve. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Carl Smith
No comments:
Post a Comment