Thoughts for the Day

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today, people are accustomed to saying what they think, verbally, and through social media. Then what follows is often counter accusation and frequently a court case. Once the mouth is open (or the thought put into text) nothing can take it back. It's like a genii being let out of the bottle to play havoc in the world.

James is speaking to Christians, whom he wants to grow spiritually, and the control of one's speech is a sign of spiritual maturity. Jesus said: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12.34). He means that if we have evil within us we speak evil, and if the opposite then we speak what is good. James uses three images to explain his thinking:

• The bridle that controls a horse;
• The small rudder which guides a ship;
• The tiny fire that can set a forest ablaze.

James argues that we must learn to control ourselves, especially our words. However, to do this we need to look at our thoughts as well. The old adage of "Think before we speak" should be applied by each one of us as a matter of urgency.

Lord Jesus,
may we learn to think before we speak,
so that our words are those of praise,
of support and of encouragement.
Help us seek to reconcile differences;
to build up the community of the faithful;
nurture harmony in our family;
and encourage those with whom we work.
Amen.