Be Careful What You Say

KEY VERSE: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” —Proverbs 18:21

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: James 3:1-10, 13-18

THE essence of our lesson today is expressed by Jesus in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” If our heart really controls our tongue, how do we condition our heart so that our expressions through the tongue are edifying and an honor to the Heavenly Father? This is the burden of our lesson.

The Apostle James illustrates his thoughts as follows, “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries, either a vine figs? So can no fountain yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation [conduct] his works with meekness and wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:11-16) The Apostle Paul warned that bitterness of heart can bring about the defilement of others. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”—Heb. 12:15

The Apostle James then continues and tells us the elements of character necessary to have a heart that will bring forth words which are unctuous and a blessing to the hearers. So we read in James 3:17,18, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” The wisdom that is from above is, of course, the instruction we receive from the Word of God. This is the only true wisdom because of its source, and it is only by its application in our lives that we can attain to salvation and life.

God’s wisdom, according to James, is first pure. This means that it is unclouded by the doctrines of men, and that such wisdom is manifested by a completely selfless conduct. Then, he said, it is peaceable. A peaceable attitude or manner of conduct reflects a knowledge of God’s will for his people and for the world. (Ps. 119:165) This knowledge gives peace of mind, because the possessor of it realizes that God is in control, and that nothing can happen in the world or to himself without God’s knowledge and permission. This peace instilled in the heart of the Christian is manifested in his conduct with others and this is pleasing to the Lord. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”—Matt. 5:9

The wisdom from above is also gentle, and influences the brethren to be slow to anger, and to be forthright, calm, forebearing, and courteous. They are easy to be entreated, and persuaded as to what is reasonable, or worthy of forgiveness. The possessor of this heavenly wisdom will listen to words of truth, and equity, though spoken by someone who might be considered subordinate, or an enemy; and, having listened, he is full of compassion, mercy, tenderness, and all good fruits.

Those having this wisdom are also without partiality in their dealings with their fellows, and will not show favoritism to the rich and prejudice against the poor which the apostle had before reproved. Finally, those possessing this wisdom are free from hypocrisy; there is no pretense in their speech or actions, and especially in their relationship to the Heavenly Father. They value his will and his acceptance far more than the good opinion of men of whatever rank or character.

Heavenly wisdom, according to James, is closely akin to love, as described by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians the thirteenth chapter. The effects of these characteristics of heavenly wisdom upon the heart will bring forth good fruits manifested by an abundance of good works capped by a bridled tongue.

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