James 3:1-12
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. 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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Most of us have spent at least part of an evening in the past couple of weeks watching the Presidential debates. As I watched all of one debate and part of another, it occurred to me that our whole process for electing a president is drifting more and more to what might be called an “entertainment model” than anything else. As I watched President Obama and Governor Romney debate issues that are far reaching in economic, international and even moral implications, I had the distinct feeling I was watching some kind of reality show.
Think about it: two candidates, each given three minutes at a time to demonstrate their ability to process mountains of data, maintain the appearance of strength under control, communicate with clarity, passion and appropriate humor on issues that could impact our nation and the world for a generation to come. In return, an audience of millions will decide whether or not to vote them off the Island!
The other thing I have noticed is how, following a particular debate, the pundits will pore over and parse out the thoughts and words uttered by each candidate looking for that single word or phrase that might somehow galvanize a nation’s attention and turn the tide of public opinion for or against a particular candidate.
In other words, a single word, uttered at the wrong time or in the wrong way, could impact an election and result in far reaching consequences.
I think that’s something of what James is getting at here:
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. 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.
James uses three vivid images here, two of them positive and one of them negative, to help us see the power of the tongue; a bit in the mouth of a horse, a rudder on a ship, a spark in a forest.
First, he reminds us that a word, well chosen and spoken, can actually control and guide that which is otherwise wild and untamable. I think of a mother singing a lullaby to a child on the verge of throwing a temper-tantrum; or a coach whispering a word of encouragement into the ear of a frustrated athlete who has just failed on the field or court.
Second, he compares the tongue to the rudder of a ship. Even when the storm is howling and the wind blowing, the rudder can keep the ship on course. I think of a wife speaking words of tenderness and trust to a husband who has just lost a job.
Third, James uses the negative image of a small spark that leads to a forest fire and great destruction. I think of a vindictive ex-boyfriend starting a rumor about a young lady that leads to her reputation being torched and destroyed.
One of the oldest and least true sayings of childhood is, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Words may not break bones, but they do hurt!
James says it like this:
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Will the words you use today serve to heal, to guide or to encourage; or will they incite, inflame and destroy?
Brian Coffey
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment