.... Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check (James 3:2). The Greek also means to err, make a mistake, to sin. Note it's not just some of us, but all of us, and of course the “we” includes James himself. Note also that it is not in a few things. The tense of the verb is present continuous, that is these things are ongoing! So much for the teaching of some that we can become a perfect man in this life! The word “for” here, relates to the previous verse “Not many of you should become teachers ... because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Teachers then, are held to a higher standard.
So often when somebody gets saved and are on fire for the Lord, the tendency is to assume they will become pastors. This is wrong on two accounts. Firstly there are many more giftings and places where the Lord would have us serve than as pastor. Secondly this is to not take this warning seriously. I don't think we have a clue about the far reaching consequences of our words. At the beginning of his ministry the apostle Paul could say he was the least of the apostles, but as he matured, he would say that he was the chief of sinners (1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:15). My thought is that even for Paul, it took time to realize that the greater the influence, the greater the devastation of not only his words, but also of his sin. With greater influence the effects of even a small stumble go on, and on, and on, like ripples on and infinite pond!
Though it is not just about the tongue, James emphasis here on our words. The point is that the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart. Jesus said “out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness (i.e. lies), slander. And these are the things that defile a person (Matthew 15:18, 19). In particular, it we want to keep our whole body, our whole person, our whole character in check, we need control of the tongue, which in turn is controlled by the heart.
There is much to say about these things, but first and foremost we need to guard our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). This is part of James' emphasis too, for he warns if we have bitter envy and self-seeking in our hearts, we are in essence telling ourselves lies, and suppressing the truth. This wisdom, he says, is earthly, sensual and even demonic (verses 14, 15; Romans 1:18). In light of these things we do well to heed James admonitions to “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,” and for not many of us to be teachers (1:19; 3:1).
Father, many times we don't see we are still stumbling in many things. Paul could say his conscience was clear but was not innocent for that (1 Corinthians 4:4). After the disciples had been with Your face to face for three years, You still held back what You would eventually need to say, because they were not ready to hear the truth (John 16:12). Thank You Lord that You wait to be gracious to us so that You might have mercy on us (Isaiah 30:18). Thank You Lord for Your patience, please give us hearts to obey in Jesus Name Amen
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