The Restless Evil

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. -James 3:9,10

This passage confronts us on several levels. First, it challenges our “Sunday-selves” and our habit of shedding that persona for what we consider a more “practical” us, when Monday rolls around. Second, the passage challenges our notion of filling the dead air of conversation between friends with senseless gossip and inflammatory remarks. Third, the passage challenges us on our continued use of foul language. Finally, the passage admonishes us and directs us in the simplest of manners: …this should not be.

It’s very easy for us to go to church on Sunday, sing songs of praise and worship, and greet one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, but then on Monday attack, tear down, and belittle the people around us. What changed? How can we justify such behavior? Do we think it is okay to tear down a coworker because we went to church the day before and glorified God? This is not how it should be.

Gossip is something every one of us struggles with on a daily basis. It’s the sin that we accept. Too often we find ourselves in the middle of a social situation or in conversation with a long lost acquaintance with nothing to talk about but other people. How is this better than silence? Ask yourself: Do you want to be whispered about amongst groups of other people? Surely your answer is no, and if it is then you should make every effort to stop accepting gossip as a way of life and start growing comfortable with a Godly silence.

Quick: What’s the worst curse word? Whatever your answer, why have you assigned that much meaning to that particular word, but not the others? Are the others truly any less foul? How can we sing songs of joy, praise, love, and mercy on Sundays, but with the same mouth, use the words that are so bad, we call them curse words? It may be difficult, but it’s time to rethink your use of the language God’s given us.

The tongue is a dangerous weapon. You will face a lifelong war as you try to tame your words. You will find it one of the most difficult battles you will ever face. You will wage this war every day, as James 3: 8 states, “…but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Your tongue is a restless evil. You must fight this battle, but do not expect an overnight victory. You must remember our mouths were made for praise, not cursing.

My brothers and sisters, this is how it should be.

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