Key Verse: ' And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it strains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle on nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.' (James 3:6).
Introduction
Today's Epistle was written by James to brothers and sisters who are witnesses, within witnessing paschal faith communities, in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups. As fishers of men, James reminds these believers that as the image of God, they are called to follow Jesus Christ in becoming the likeness of God, here on earth. In loving-kindness, patience and spiritual maturity, they are called to live, teach and proclaim the Paschal Mystery, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. He them sternly warns these witness, they must avoid the harsh words, condemnation and arrogant rebuking of others, which is so common, when witness choose to dwell in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, in their teaching and preaching ministries. To James taming the tongue is critical in creating and maintaining effective ministries (James 3:1).
Taming the tongue - key to personal mastery
James stresses that within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, taming the tongue is the key to personal mastery. He recognizes that we are all human, and that believers as well as unbelievers will stumble and make mistakes. To James controlled speech leads to perfect control over the whole person, spirit, mind, emotions, relationships and body. James uses the example of how a small bit and bridle control a large horse and describes how a large ship, even in the midst of a storm, is controlled by a small rudder, to describe taming the tongue (James 3:2-5).
Power of Evil Speech
To James vain boasting and evil speaking exist within witnessing paschal faith communities, when witness choose the live their lives and practice their faith and ministries, in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. The mind of the flesh produce defilement, destruction, unnecessary hurt and suffering within faith communities. James stresses that mankind can successfully tame wild beasts, birds, serpents, and sea animals, but the tongue cannot be tamed by mankind. The human tongue can be like a wild fire. The tongue can only be tamed when witnesses surrender their souls, hearts, minds and lives, to the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, within witnessing paschal faith communities, as revealed in Jesus Christ. In God's redemptive plan in Christ, the tamed tongue glorifies God as universal Father, and proclaims the universal brotherhood of all mankind in Christ (James 3:6-9).
Metaphors related to speech
In closing James remind us about the inconsistency and destruction of evil words, which can proceed from the mouth unregenerate human souls, hearts, minds and tongues. James stresses that within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups the human tongue must be controlled and restrained. Blessing and curses may come from the same tongue. This sort of thing should not be happening within witnessing paschal faith communities. James asks the questions, "Have you ever seen a fig tree with a crop of olives, or seen figs growing on a vine". He then declares, "It is just as impossible for a spring to give fresh and salt water at the same time" (James 3:10-12).
Conclusion
Have you chosen to be a brother or sister within a witnessing paschal faith community, within your tradition, religion, culture, ethnic and secular group? Have you chosen follow Jesus Christ, by laying down speaking words and living your life, in the evil, condemnation, rebuke, destruction and divisiveness of the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh? Will you now choose to follow James admonition and embrace taming your speech, and living your life, in the loving-kindness, patience, long suffering, grace, agape love and truth of the appropriate right brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (Mark 8:31-38, Romans 8:1-17)?
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