A transformed nature will produce transformed behavior.  When someone embraces Jesus as Lord, He begins to transform every part of that person’s life from the inside out.  Their new life in Christ results in their whole life reflecting the righteousness of Jesus more and more every day.

The scriptures clearly call each one of us to strive to honor Jesus with our speech while at the same time it says that sanctified speech is the work of the Holy Spirit.  So you may ask, “Which one is it?  Does Jesus change our heart and our speech or do we do it?”  Well, the answer is “Yes.”  Here in James we have what theologians call a parallel truth:

  • A believer is exhorted that they need to be careful with their words.  Words are powerful.  Words carry great meaning.  Words motivate people to action.  Words are important so we need to manage our words well. James 1:26 says, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue [that’s an act of a person’s will] but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
  • On the other hand, our words do reveal the condition of our hearts.  Speech that is out of control is a clear indication of a spiritual life that is also out of control.

In James 3:7, James makes the argument that a person can’t be both holy and unholy at the same time.  If the fruit is rotten or the water is poisoned, then there is likely a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed.  Look at verse 7:

“7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”

We often take clean drinking water for granted here in Cottonwood.  In underdeveloped countries, a source of fresh water can be the difference between thriving and dying.  Just like water is life giving, our words can be life giving.  However, if water runs out of control, it causes flooding and mass destruction.  In the same way, if our words run out of control, they can cause great injury and devastation.

We’re asked to evaluate ourselves here.  What effects do our words cause?

  • Is our speech a source of life and refreshment for people?  – OR – Does our speech contain mostly criticism and gossip?
  • Do we delight in building others up?  – OR – Do we think it more fun to tear others down?
  • Are we encouragers or discouragers?
  • Do we run to the scriptures often with our words or do we run to our own opinions most of the time?

Our words demonstrate the level of our spiritual health.