If the Apostles Paul and James were boxers you would call Paul the boxer and James the brawler. Paul sets you up with jabs and then nails you with a hook. James just throws hooks, big body shots, overhand rights and lefts, uppercuts and just goes to knock you out with every punch.
Here in verse twentysix James throws a haymaker a nails us with our mouths. I would say that with the advent of the internet and social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that what we say in writing is included in this "uppercut" from James.
The meaning is straightforward and you can't dodge it. If you think you are religious, you know, spiritually mature and you can't control what you say, your not. Pretty convicting.
Now, I am going to make a bit of a stretch here and ask the other side of the question. I get that I should be careful to NOT say some things that would not glorify God. But, what about NOT speaking up when we should? What about situations where injustice is happening or God is being blasphemed and I remain silent? Should I? Maybe the Spirit of God is nudging you to share with someone that Jesus died for their sins and that person is open for that moment. Is controlling your tongue opening your mouth or keeping it closed?
Father, help us to submit ourselves to you and let you reign even over our what we say. Give us wisdom to be silent when we should and to speak up when we must. Praise be to you in us today!
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