The Wisdom of Your Words - Faith In Action Series

This week’s devotional was written by Abson Predestin Joseph in his book entitled, “The Letter of James (OneBook, Daily-Weekly).” We hope you will be encouraged.

James 3:9–12 NRSV - “With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.”

Key Observation. A person’s words reveal their true nature.

Understanding the Word. James’s teaching on speech ethics continues in this passage. He calls for believers to demonstrate consistency in the way they use language in their relationships with one another. The opening statement is a continuation of the discussion regarding the untamed tongue. Here James unpacks what he means by the tongue being “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (v. 8). The untamed tongue is unstable and leads to behaviors that are questionable and contradictory.

James begins by calling attention to a behavior that is unnatural. He makes two parallel statements to identify a practice that is characteristic of a double-minded heart and an untamed tongue. The first statement highlights the inherent contradiction that exists when a person uses the tongue to worship God on the one hand, and to speak ill against their fellow human beings on the other hand. He uses his words very carefully. He underscores God’s lordship and fatherhood and uses language that brings into focus humanity’s relationship with the father. Creation language is present here as well. However, James uses the language of “being and becoming” to drive his point home. We are of God. That humanity is created “in the likeness of God” means humanity bears God’s nature. Therefore, it is inconceivable that one could love God and hate those fashioned after his likeness. If one honors the Father, they should honor his children. The reverse is equally true; one’s treatment of the children reflects how one views the Father. It is contrary to nature to praise God and curse those who bear his image.

The additional related challenge resides in the fact that the same tongue, or the same person, is involved in two polar-opposite behaviors that are expressed through speech: blessing and cursing. James provides a hopeful verdict to this state of affairs: “It just shouldn’t be this way!” (v. 10 CEB). This statement resonates throughout the letter. James has consistently provided a dual picture of reality (e.g., true faith versus claimed faith; the careful hearer versus the forgetful hearer; the one who asks in faith versus the one who doubts). And he exhorts the believers to adopt the way of spiritual maturity and Christian perfection. He acknowledges the challenges and dangers that the untamed tongue poses and challenges the believers to embrace consistency in speech.

It bears reiterating that, for James, a person’s speech is a window into their entire being. This saying should be true: “If I observe how you speak, I will know who you are.” The passage ends with a series of rhetorical questions that drives this point home. All four images convey the same message: our actions reveal our nature, our identity. It is unnatural when our actions do not match our nature. Be true to our nature! This is consistent with James’s teaching on faith and work. True faith leads to faithful acts of service. This is a call for consistency in our dealings with one another. This is only possible if our behavior is centered on God. In fact, it is possible because we are made in his likeness. He should be the source of our actions. Our lives should reflect the faithful stability that comes from being anchored in our Lord and Father.