James 3

Reading James 3 brought many thoughts to mind.  It is evident through this chapter that we need to be mindful of our tongue and the words spoken to those we love.  I like the analogy between the tongue being the smallest part of the body just as the rudder is the smallest part of a ship that steers where it goes as directed by the pilot (v4) and the comparison made to the great forest set on fire by the tiniest spark (v5).  When I considered the fire, a memory came to mind of Terry and Mark trying to start a fire when we were visiting Banff National Park.  As they began to add a little newspaper to the fire, a small piece was taken up into the air by a slight wind.  However, that piece of newspaper had already caught on fire and as it was being carried up into the pines that towered over us, we were instantly worried.  The paper eventually was put out as it flew higher into the sky and we were relieved.  Shea and I joked that we were already planning our quickest escape route out of their - well, not really.  But seeing how unintentional that action was and the devastation that could have come, it can be the same for a small word that is spoken that is not meant to harm but when taken the wrong way or said the wrong way, can do much damage.  Brett Wilson, yes, that handsome gentleman, posted this on his Facebook page that I thought put it into perspective.

Simply speaking, Wilson encourages us to think about the repercussions before you act or speak.  Indeed we can apologize but we can't undo or unsay what was done or said so think twice. 

Verse 9 reminds us that we use our tongue to both praise our God and use it to curse men who were created in God's image.  That is a difficult thing to reflect on as we all must admit that we are guilty of this.  Can't we all see the hypocrisy in that?  While teaching, I remember reading Hal Urban's book entitled, "Positive Words, Powerful Results."  Urban's objective was to help us understand that each of us has a fundamental tool, our language, to either tear down or build up.  Think of a time when someone gave you a compliment - it felt great, didn't it?  Now think about a time that someone was unkind through their words.  You may not remember the exact words they used but I am sure you can remember how they made you feel.  It seems like such an easy thing and yet is something we need to be reminded of regularly and put into practice each day.

The remainder of the chapter goes on to speak about wisdom.  I think this is something that I pray for daily, especially in the raising of my children.  Reading verse 17 made me think about the praying differently.  To pray for wisdom but also pray for a spirit that is peace-loving and considerate.  To pray about being more submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, and to be impartial and sincere.  In praying for all of these things. wisdom would most likely follow.  And in praying these qualities over my own life, won't I become more of the woman that God wants me to be?  And to become the role model I want to be for my children?  Their little eyes are always watching and their little ears always listening.  All of this, they mimic, which can be good or not so good.