SAINT JAMES APOSTLE
BISHOP OF JERUSALEM. AND EVANGELIST
TAMING THE TONGUE 3:1-12
….we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.
It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination wishes. In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions….
For every kind of beast, bird, reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers. Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.
REFLECTION
In this Scripture passage, James reminds us of the damage we can do with speech. The tongue can and is likely to do grave damage to other human beings, (made in the likeness and image of God) in gossip, curses, judgments, and name calling etc.
All of these deadly evils begin in the heart. “Harden not your hearts,” Hebrews 3:8
God makes a New Covenant in our hearts. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people Jerimiah 31:33
For I will pour out water on the thirsty land….I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants; Isaiah 44:3
…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water (Spirit) springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14
….Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity…hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness…I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:15-23
TRUE WISDOM. 3:13-18
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.
REFLECTION
True wisdom is seeking to be image of God. Jesus’s commands, Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect. Matthew 5:48.
God our Father, Abba Father, make us whole again. Overcome our inclination to evil (sin) Make us fresh again, remove the debris in our hearts, let us be wise in our choices and discern with the aid of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name we pray!