A Reflection Of Communication In James And The Book Of James

The theme of James is gaining an understanding that the way we communicate is a reflection of our heart. The Book of James is parallel to the Book of Proverbs, full of wisdom and how to tame the tongue (Hawkins, 2006). James 1:19 sets the tone of how we should communicate, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

James 3: 3-4, “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.”

As I reflect on the interpretation James 3: 3-4, this scripture causes

Words are so powerful that people commit suicide over them, Churches are destroyed by the words spread through gossip, and marriages are torn apart by them. James explains that the tongue is a small part of our body, but can cause devastation on the level of a forest fire destroying everything that is in its path.

James 3: 7-8, “ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

James explains, there are a multitude of animals that can be tamed by man, but the taming of the tongue is not as easy. We need a supernatural intervention, which has to be consistently asked for in prayer. The tongue can speak evil, and unfortunately some evil can never be undone or forgiven.

James 3: 9-12, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh