Part 5 of James: Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Words

James 3:1-12 (CSB)

1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. 

2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. 

3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. 

4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 

5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 

6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 

7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 

8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 

10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 

11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 

12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

For the past four weeks, we have been looking closely at the book of James. You might have noticed that each week’s sermon has been titled with an warning to not do something. The titles so far have been: Don’t Let Trials Become Temptations, Don’t Forget Who You Are, Don’t Play Favorites, and Don’t Settle for Dead Faith. James has been giving careful instructions, admonishing these believers he’s writing to. All throughout this letter, he is explaining that our faith must be accompanied by works in order for our faith to be alive. Instead of molding ourselves to fit in with the world, and gain its favor, we must look into the mirror of God’s Word and allow it to change us to better reflect the character of God. Now, in Chapter 3, James is continuing his warnings, and this time he is urging the believers to be careful about the words they speak. He is saying: Don’t underestimate the power of your words.

He opens in verse 1 with a stark warning: “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.”

Now, that might catch your attention for a couple of reasons. If you’re a woman, or if, like me, you’re a woman in a teaching role, you might be wondering about the word “brothers”. Is James only speaking to men? Is this “proof” women should not be teachers?

Bible translations, like the CSB, just say “brothers” here, while other translations say, “brothers and sisters.” As with all verses in the Bible, we want to know which is more accurate. The Greek word here is adelphoi, which literally means brothers, but in the New Testament it’s used frequently as a gender-inclusive term. It often refers to both men and women, kind of how we say ‘guys’ to refer to a whole group, even if it includes women. Or how, until recently, mankind was the acceptable term for all of humanity.

Proof of the use of this word is seen all throughout Paul’s letters and other parts of the New Testament. This same word adelphoi is used to address churches where we know women were present and involved. Women like Phoebe, Junia, Priscilla, Lydia, Euodia, and Syntyche were all part of the communities being addressed as adelphoi. So, while some translations, like the NIV or NRSV, go ahead and say, “brothers and sisters” to reflect that usage, others keep the translation literal and just say “brothers.”

But make no mistake: as we keep reading his letter, we will see that James’ warning here about the weight and responsibility of teaching, and the power of the tongue, is meant for the whole church. It’s not just for men, and it’s not just for pastors or teachers either. It’s for everyone who uses words to influence others. That means James’ warning is for all of us.

Because whether you’re behind a pulpit, leading a Bible study, talking to your kids, sharing something online, or just speaking to someone in your life — your words have power. That’s the warning and the wisdom James wants us all to hear. We should not underestimate the power of our words.

This warning from James — that teachers will be judged more strictly than others — used to make me very afraid and nervous to be a pastor. I’m not afraid of being a pastor anymore, but I still fear that I will speak incorrectly and lead people off track. I have realized, though, that this fear is healthy. It causes me to cling to God’s Word and to pray with fervor that the Holy Spirit will help me stay faithful to Scripture. His warning helps me remember that nobody needs to hear my ideas, whereas we all, myself included, desperately need to hear God’s Word.

But why does James give this warning that not many should become teachers and that teachers will be judged more strictly? He answers the first part of that question in verse 2, which says, “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.”

James knows, I’m sure from personal experience, that we all stumble in what we say. We all, at one time or another, have said things that we wish we hadn’t said. If we do not stumble and say the wrong things, that means we have matured and are able to control our whole body.

The second half of that question — why are teachers judged more strictly — is not directly answered by James, but we can discern the answer. Teachers “will receive a stricter judgment” because a teacher’s words carry more weight than other people's words.

Jesus touches on this same idea in Luke 12:48, when He says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.”

When we teach, we are being entrusted to speak the truth and teach accurately. If we are Christians, and God has gifted us with teaching abilities, either as pastors, teachers or any other type of leadership role, God is entrusting us with influence, and He expects us to use our influence carefully. That means we can’t afford to treat our words lightly or rely on personal opinion. We must handle God’s Word faithfully and be aware that what we say can shape someone’s understanding of God and Scripture.

That’s why James gives this warning. It’s not to scare us away from teaching, but to remind us to take it seriously. That’s why it’s vital that we stay grounded in the Word. We need to remember that it’s not really our words people need. People need God’s Word.

In addition to studying God’s Word, we need to spend time in prayer. Recently, I read something that convicted me deeply. In A.W. Tozer’s book, The Root of Righteousness, he says this, “No man has any moral right to go before the people who has not first been long before the Lord. No man has any right to speak to men about God who has not first spoken to God about men. And the prophet of God should spend more time in the secret place praying than he spends in the public place preaching.”

Imagine how different all pastors’ sermons might be if we all followed Tozer’s advice? But I don’t think this caution from James, or from Tozer, should be limited to pastors, though. We all need to be mindful of the words we speak and consider whether our words are accurately reflecting who we are supposed to be as followers of Christ.

The things we say are much more important than we might think, and should be chosen carefully, because look at what James says next. Through a series of illustrations, he’s going to explain that our tongue has the power to control our lives. In verses 3-6, he says, “Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never really considered just how much of a role the tongue plays in controlling our lives. I know that words are powerful and can influence other people, but James is saying that our tongues control the very course of our lives. Have you considered that before?

In Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, he says, “If a man can control his tongue, he has complete dominion over himself, as much as a man has over a horse by the bit, or as a steersman has over a ship if he has hold of the rudder. He is perfect in that sense, that he has complete control over himself, and will not be liable to error in anything.”

That means that James is saying that the tongue governs our whole body, taking us in the direction in which we speak. In short, James is saying our words don’t just reveal where we are, they determine where we’re going.

Think with me a minute. Our tongues — the words we say — are how we communicate. It’s how we influence, build relationships, resolve conflict, make decisions, and accomplish just about anything in life.

The words we speak reveal who we are. It’s how people come to know us. Someone who speaks negatively or is angry all the time will gain a negative reputation. The opposite is also true: a positive, joyful person will show that is true by his or her words.

We should ask ourselves: what direction are our words steering us in? Where are we going with the things we say in our homes, our churches, our texts, our social media posts? Are our words helping to lead us, and others, toward Christ… or away from Him?

James says we must choose our words carefully, because a misspoken word can cause a world of hurt, just as a small flame can set a whole forest on fire.

Maybe this passage is why different monks throughout history have taken vows of silence? Should we all speak less than we do? As Proverbs 10:19 says, “When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent.”

If we are not willing to consider our words, then silence would be wise. Otherwise, we could do more harm than good. When Job was in pain and suffering, he wished that his friends would stop giving him terrible advice. Their words were not helping him, so he said, “If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom” (Job 13:5, NIV). At least then, no “forest fires” would get started!

Not only that, but James says the tongue “is itself set on fire by hell.” I think we should probably look closer at that statement. It seems very important, don’t you agree?

I think James is saying that the devil and his demons set people's tongues on fire and speak through them. Sometimes through directly possessing someone, more often, by influencing someone to speak evil. This is how everything bad gets started. From global assaults to personal attacks, it’s through words that evil is spread. From politicians who use words to manipulate the masses, to little children who say mean things to other little children: the devil influences people to harm other people through words.

Then, to emphasize the point, verses 7-8 say, “Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

People have been able to tame wild animals, but no one has tamed the tongue. That doesn’t mean that no one can control their tongue, but rather it is a constant battle: it will never, this side of Heaven, be fully tamed. Jesus is the only One who never sinned with His words. He always spoke truth, grace, healing and forgiveness. We always must, by the grace and help of the Holy Spirit, be at work to control our tongues, becoming more like Him. If not, our words are liable to become poisonous.

Earlier, I stated that our words can shape someone’s understanding of God and Scripture. Certainly, the devil, through manipulating words, has spread a destructive fire throughout the world, bringing damage to people's understanding of God’s Word. That is why there is an abundance of false theology. Like the serpent in the Garden of Eden, the devil still prompts people to question and disobey what God has said.  

Not only do we need to be careful with the words we speak about God, but we must think about all the words we say each day. For with our words, we can build people up or tear people down. Look what James says next, in verses 9-10: “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.”

Our words can shape other people's understanding of themselves. Anytime we slander anyone, belittle someone, put someone down, or speak meanly to someone, we are in essence, cursing them.

It should not be this way. True to his teaching style, James asks his readers some questions in verses 11-12. He wants them to really think about this. He asks: “Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.”

Can a saltwater spring yield fresh water? No, and neither can a fig tree produce olives. A grapevine cannot produce figs. If that is so, then how can blessings and curses come out of the same mouth?

This, by the way, is nearly identical to something Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 7:15-20, which says, “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.”

Also, in Luke 6:43-45, Jesus says, “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren’t gathered from thornbushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”

Notably, immediately after that, Jesus says, in Luke 6:46-49, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.”

That certainly sounds a lot like all the things that James has been saying in his letter, doesn’t it? James isn’t introducing a new idea—he’s building on what Jesus taught. The themes are nearly identical: the fruit of our lives reveals our hearts, and our words are the overflow of what’s within. James is applying the teaching of Jesus in very practical terms. As he’s been doing throughout this whole letter, he’s showing us what it looks like to follow Christ, not just in belief, but in behavior, and in this chapter, by how we speak. What we’re reading here is, in many ways, James explaining how we live out the Sermon on the Mount. Our words reveal whether or not we’ve built our lives on the rock. They show if we’ve merely heard God’s Word or actually obeyed it.

The mirror that’s being held up to us asks us to look at the words that we are speaking. Do our words reflect the Name we bear? Are we reflecting the heart of Jesus through the words we say? Are we producing fruit that proves we have faith in Jesus?

Recently, I read a quote that is helpful in determining what kind of fruit we are producing. In the same book I quoted earlier, Tozer also said, “Of what do we think when we are free to think of what we will? What object gives us inward pleasure as we brood over it? Over what do we muse in our free moments? To what does our imagination return again and again? When we have answered these questions honestly, we will know what kind of persons we are; and when we have discovered what kind of persons we are we may deduce the kind of fruit we will bear” (p. 127).

It’s a rather telling test, isn’t it? In order for our minds to wander to things of God, we must fill our minds with the things of God. We need to spend time each day in God’s Word. We should be reading other books too that deepen our faith and encourage us to follow God. If our minds are filled with all manner of worldly entertainment, then that’s all our minds will return to, and that’s what will come out of our mouths.

To quote James, it should not be this way.

Not only do our words shape the direction of our lives, but our words shape our understanding of ourselves. If all we’re thinking and talking about is fruitless, what does that say about us? If we want our identity to be found in Christ, then not only should our actions reflect our faith, but our words must as well.

It’s clear that we cannot tame our tongues, but we can surrender them daily to Jesus and ask Him to help us speak words that bring blessing. Let us draw near to the Lord and fill our hearts and minds with things that produce faith, so out of our mouths will flow truth and life.

Then, our words will not be shaped by the fire of hell, but by the Word of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we confess that our words have not always reflected Your heart. Please help us, by the Holy Spirit to better choose the words we speak. Help us be people who reveal Your heart of love to the people around us. We want to be people who bless people and not curse. Thank You for forgiving us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.