Before you speak, be certain your words would be better than your silence.
Position, Problem, Prescription
Position
James 3:2 perfect means mature. We must think about our words and how they affect others.
Proverbs 18:21 – “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
James 1:26-27 – “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
James 3:2-5 - “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.
Problem
We have a sin nature, and our words can hurt others as well as our relationships.
James 3:7-8 – “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.”
James 3:9-12 –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 fresh water and salt water 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.”
Prescription
Listen to the Word of God, take time to think and pray. When you do speak, use words that are God honoring and give life and encouragement.
James 1-19 – “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
James 1:21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
Luke 6:45 – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Proverbs 15:28 (NLT) – “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.”
Fix the heart, fix the issues.
Cry out to God, lean into Him, take His Word to heart.
Psalm 141:3 (NLT) – “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.”
Psalm 19:14 (NLT) – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
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