Understanding the Power of Our Words and How to Use Them Wisely
When you turn on the faucet at home, you expect clean water to come out—not a confusing mix of fresh water and salty water all at once. That’s a pretty clear picture, right? James 3:11 in the Bible uses this same idea, asking, “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” The obvious answer is no, of course not! A spring gives either good, drinkable water or salty, undrinkable water—not both. It’s a straightforward example that helps us understand something much deeper about ourselves: what comes out of our mouths matters, and it shouldn’t be a confusing mix of good and bad.
The Tongue: Small but Mighty
The passage in James chapter 3 is all about the power of the tongue. It’s a small part of the body, but it can do a whole lot—both good and bad. Think about how a tiny spark can start a massive forest fire, or how a small steering wheel can guide a giant ship. In the same way, the words we choose can inspire, comfort, and heal—or they can hurt, destroy, and divide.
James points out that it’s not enough to just say good things sometimes and bad things at other times. Our speech should be consistent. After all, it doesn’t make sense for someone to praise God one minute and then turn around and insult someone else the next. That’s like expecting apples from a fig tree, or clean water and dirty water from the same source—it’s just not how things are supposed to work.
Why Our Words Matter
Words aren’t just sounds we make; they have real power. With our tongues, we can bless, encourage, comfort, and share love. But unfortunately, we can also use them to tear people down, spread lies, start arguments, or make others feel small. It’s no wonder James calls the tongue “a fire”—because once a word is spoken, it can grow and spread in ways we never intended.
The Bible tells us that “no human being can tame the tongue.” That sounds harsh! But what James really means is that it’s extremely difficult to always say the right thing, especially when we’re angry, tired, or upset. Our tongues often get us into more trouble than anything else.
The Challenge of Consistency
How often have you said something in the heat of the moment that you later regretted? Or found yourself gossiping or complaining even when you know it’s not right? James 3 reminds us that, just like a tree only produces one kind of fruit, our words should reflect the kind of people we want to be—people of integrity, kindness, and faith.
James uses strong words to describe what happens when we’re not careful. He says that when we bless God but curse others, we’re being inconsistent. It’s as if our tongue is “confuting itself”—contradicting what we claim to believe. True faith, James says, doesn’t make room for this kind of double talk. If we truly want to follow God, we should aim for our words to match our values.
Why Is the Tongue So Hard to Control?
The truth is, all of us have trouble controlling what we say. Over time, we might get better at controlling our actions, but the tongue is sneaky. Even when our bodies slow down or our energy fades, our words can get even sharper—especially as we get older and have less patience for nonsense.
The reason, James suggests, is that the tongue is connected to our hearts. If our hearts are full of anger or jealousy, our words will show it. On the other hand, if our hearts are full of love and peace, our words will reflect that, too. This is why James says no one can tame the tongue on their own. We need help—from God, from wisdom, and from practice.
What Does Wisdom Look Like?
James 3 doesn’t just warn us about the dangers of the tongue; it also gives us hope. The verses that follow (James 3:13-18) talk about the kind of wisdom that comes “from above.” This wisdom is pure, peaceful, gentle, willing to listen, full of mercy, and produces good things. It’s the kind of wisdom that helps us think before we speak, to choose our words carefully, and to make sure we’re building others up rather than tearing them down.
True wisdom is shown not just by what we say, but by how we live. If our lives are marked by kindness and good works, it will be much easier for our words to match up.
Practical Steps for Everyday Life
So, what does all this mean for our day-to-day lives? Here are a few simple ways to put the teaching of James 3 into practice:
· Think before you speak: Before saying something, ask yourself if it’s true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind. If it’s not, maybe it’s better left unsaid.
· Pray for help: Since controlling the tongue is so tough, ask God for wisdom and self-control. Prayer can be a powerful way to set your intentions for the day.
· Apologize when you mess up: Everyone slips up sometimes. When you do, don’t be too proud to apologize. Saying “I’m sorry” goes a long way toward healing hurt feelings.
· Encourage others: Make it a habit to say something encouraging each day. Compliment a friend, thank a coworker, or tell your family you love them. Positive words are powerful!
· Stay away from gossip: Talking about others behind their backs is one of the quickest ways to let your tongue get out of control. Make the choice to walk away from gossip or change the subject.
· Practice gratitude: When you focus on what’s good, you’re less likely to complain or criticize. Start or end each day by naming a few things you’re thankful for.
How Consistency Builds Character
Imagine if everyone in your family, your school, or your workplace decided to only use their words to bless, encourage, and speak the truth. How much better would life be? That’s the vision James paints for us: a world where our words and actions line up, where we don’t switch back and forth between blessing and cursing, praising and criticizing, but instead show who we really are with our speech.
It’s not about being perfect—none of us will get it right all the time. But by being aware of the power of our words, asking for help when we need it, and making a conscious effort to speak kindly, we can create a ripple effect of goodness in the world.
Conclusion: Bless, Don’t Curse
James 3 is a wake-up call for all of us to take our words seriously. The tongue may be small, but its impact is huge. Left unchecked, it can cause all kinds of damage. But when we use it wisely—with consistency, kindness, and wisdom—it becomes a force for good.
So next time you’re tempted to say something harsh or hurtful, remember the spring that only gives fresh water, the tree that only grows one kind of fruit. Let’s aim for our words to be as pure and consistent as the lives we want to live—blessing others and bringing glory to God, every chance we get.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 