James creates no illusions about the natural tendencies of human speech. He calls it “a world of iniquity” in the midst of our bodies. In his opinion, it is the spark that sets forests a blazing. It is easy for us to marginalize his comments as being exaggerated, a hyperbole for sake of effect. But then I start thinking about the power of words, someone else’s or my own, on my view of myself or others. I wonder the amount of people I have written off before even meeting them due to a friend’s words, or the heartache of most girls in elementary through high school because of their classmates harsh, petty judgments.
Even within the Christian circle: I wonder how many times, on any given Sunday, a pastor is criticized, behind closed doors, for his style or personality traits, and his entire message is instantly discarded as worthless. Believers hide their judgments in small, funny quips, behind false niceties or in the package of godly wisdom. What is worse, the damage that is caused flows from words that seem to come so naturally. It is almost like we don’t have control over the small but devastating comments that fall out. The more I think about the ease with which we verbally condemn each other, the more I see the truth behind James’ metaphors and analogies. Must to take his heed and “bridle” the beast.
Controlling the fires that rage around us, through our families and amidst our witness to the world begins by smothering the spark that lies on the tip of our tongues.
