"The Power of Words"

 

"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by human beings, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

 

            Henri Nouwen wrote, "If solitude was primarily an escape from noise, it could easily become a very self-centered form of asceticism. But solitude and silence are for prayer. The desert fathers did not think of solitude as being alone, but as being alone with God."

            So if solitude is more than being alone, if it is in fact a way to be in conversation with God, then that makes it more difficult than a walk in the woods or a quiet afternoon at home, but it also is so much more valuable, for in the conversation of true solitude, God can do so much more in our souls.

            In the same way, we think of our speech as being together with other people, but it becomes so much more when we realize that God is included in every conversation with our neighbor. If solitude becomes self-centered without God, then speech can become hurtful when God is not included or recognized. James says there are those who bless and praise God when they are in worship, but then they go outside and curse another human being. They forget that God is present in that conversation with the other person, just as he is present in the worship. James says you cannot bless God in the language of worship and then speak harshly to one who has been created in God's likeness.

            In studying this passage, I could not help but think of the trial of Rod Blagojevich. When he was having conversations with people of wealth and influence, he did not realize that his words were being recorded and that they would be played back in a very public setting. It must be very difficult for him to sit and listen to his words played back. In the same way, so often we are unaware that God is present in our every conversation. There is one who hears not only our songs of praise and our prayers of thanks and petition, but also our words spoken to our neighbor, or about our neighbor.

            When we say hurtful words to others or dishonest words to protect ourselves or false words to be in control of a situation, we speak as if no one else hears except the person we are addressing. So we vent feelings of anger or anxiety expressed in harsh words so that someone else will carry the pain we feel. As a result, in our society words do not mean very much, they become "just words" and they have no real weight. We excuse ourselves for speaking in a harsh or critical or dishonest way. Angry words or false words can buy us time; they often lessen the pressure we feel for a short period. But we do not value these words. We do not sense the presence of God in those outbursts. But all such words are hurtful. They are dangerous. James uses very strong language here. This is not a light, trivial matter. He says "The tongue is a fire," "it corrupts the whole person," "it is set on fire by hell." He wants us to truly understand that it matters how we speak to others.

            James uses a number of images to show how small the tongue is in relation to its influence and power. Of course we know our words are not just a matter of a physical tongue, but are expressions of our mind and soul and heart. But he makes a good point. Even very small things can control much larger objects. He says a simple bit can control a horse. I don't think he ever tried to ride a horse. Horses have minds of their own. There is more to it than just the bit in the mouth, and a good rider communicates in many ways to the horse, but you get the point. He says it is like a rudder on a ship, steering the ship purposefully to its destination, even in strong winds. The tongue is like a tiny spark that can ignite a whole forest. Indeed, it is often careless acts that start great fires.

            The crucial element in each of these pictures is the power behind the object. The rider controls the bit to turn the horse. The pilot sets the rudder to turn the ship. The careless person strikes the match or throws the cigarette that burns the forest. So in our speaking, the problem is not with the tongue, but with the one who uses it.

            What is James saying here? First, that our words are important. Small words carelessly spoken can have a great impact. Harsh words spoken in anger can hurt deeply. False words used to deceive or cover up have long term consequence. James says don't be too easy on yourself if you have a habit of speaking in anger, of lying, or of criticizing others.

            Next, he is saying that our words have a life beyond us. Our words can do damage and can continue to cause trouble long after we have forgotten what we said. Words linger and echo and get passed along. There is an oil well at the bottom of the ocean that has been spewing oil into the sea for some months now, and once they get it stopped they will be cleaning up for a long time, and you can't just put all the oil back where it came from. Our harsh words, spoken in the storm, make their way to shore as well.

            Our words are not easily controlled. David Nystrom says that people in the ancient world took pride in taming tigers and lions and all manner of wild life. To them it showed the power of reason over chaos in the natural world. So James says you can teach wild animals to do tricks and you can charm snakes and train birds to deliver messages, but so far no one has tamed the tongue. Literally, it says in verse 8, "no one of humans is able to tame the tongue."

            Only God can control the tongue for us. It is not a matter of trying to be more polite, of working harder at holding your temper, of making a greater effort to tell the truth, to stop exaggerating or spinning things so you look good. It begins with asking God to work in your heart. Only God can heal your anxiety over what others might think, or your worry over what if you fail. God can take away your anger, and cleanse you of resentment, and give you power to forgive. When God works in your heart, your words change and He becomes a part of every conversation.

            Jesus talked about this in a slightly different way. He said we are to be good soil, so that the word of God can grow in us and bear fruit. Being good soil is all about grace. The grace of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ softens your heart and leads you to true repentance. That sets you free to be honest, to take care of your soul, and to renew relationships with God and others. The goal is not to try to always be nice, or to try to watch what you say. The goal is to let the Lord heal your wounded heart. It is Christ who removes the weeds and thistles of our souls, who breaks up the hard ground caused by pain. Good soil is renewed soil. It is soil where Christ has been invited to save. Then the word of God is received with gladness, and God is welcomed into every conversation, whether we are alone with him, in worship together, or talking to one another. Take time this morning to ask Christ to renew your heart and tame your tongue.

           Amen.