We Are Challenged To Examine The Words We Say

Today we continue our series on the New Testament letter we call James. Many current biblical scholars think that James the brother of Jesus wrote part of the letter as a sermon and then later someone added to it so that it would apply to a wider audience.

Previously we have read in this letter guidance to be quick to listen and slow to speak. To not just be hearers of the word but also doers of the word. James has shared the importance of not showing partiality especially to those who have more wealth or power.

Today we move into the 3rd chapter of James. The first part of this scripture will be very appealing to the teachers among us. You will see how much James appreciates what it means to be a teacher.

The second part of this text is what we will focus on today. The words about what we say and about one another.

Read James 3:1-12

I recently came across an article about 28 things you should never say to a Southerner. Having been born and raised in South Carolina I can very much appreciate the advice in this article. If you are a newcomer to the South, then some of what I say may help you in your transition.

So what are some of the things you should never say to a Southerner? I picked out 11 things from the list that you should never say to a Southerner.

1. You really shouldn’t fry that.
2. I’m having a barbecue. (Southerners eat barbecue. We grill burgers and dogs.)
3. We only serve unsweet tea.
4. Real football is played in the Big 10.
5. It’s just a little snow. The kids will be fine to go to school.
6. I’ll put the cast iron skillet in the dishwasher.
7. Shouldn’t you be using a recipe?
8. What’s the big deal about Duke’s mayonnaise? We eat Hellman’s. (James and Hellman’s in our frig).
9. What’s with all of the monograms on everything?
10. Calling me ma’am or sir makes me feel old. (It’s a sign of respect.)
11. Why did you just wave at that total stranger?

James says that no one can tame the tongue for it is a restless evil that is full of deadly poison. That’s some pretty strong language coming from James. It’s as if he has been around some people saying some pretty nasty things about other people.

James go on to say that we use our words to both bless God and curse those who are made in the image of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing.

Let’s stay away from cursing as being defined by saying “dammit” or other similar cuss words. For James, cursing is defined by the words we say about others.

James reminds us that the person we are talking about or tweeting about or texting about or emailing about is made in the image of God. That person we are cutting down is made in the image of God.

So think about the words that you have shared today and this week. If you charted your words that you said or texted about another, what percentage of those words would fall under the category of blessing? How many times today and this week did we say things about another person that would fall under the category of blessing?

How many times did we say “thank you” to another person? How many times did we compliment a person this week? How many times did we brag on a person to someone else this week?

How many cards or communications of support did we send to other people this week? What was the reaction or the result when we used our words as a blessing for another? When we do any of this then we are using our tongue and our fingers as a blessing to a person made in the image of God.

Now compare our blessing amount to our cursing amount? How many times did we complain about another person this week? How many times did we talk about someone ugly behind their back? How many times did we use our fingers to say something demeaning about someone else in a text, tweet, or email?

What was the reaction or the result when we used our words as a curse upon another? When we do any of this then we are using our tongue and our fingers as a curse to a person made in the image of God.

I will admit to all of you that this week I have used my tongue and my fingers as a blessing and a curse. And I’m not sure what my quotient is of blessing to curse. But I do know this.

When I have used my words to curse another, I found my body tense. I found myself angry and self-absorbed. Focused on it being “All about me.” And I didn’t like the way that made me feel about the other person or myself.

But I also know how I felt when my words have been a blessing to another. I found myself laughing and my body relaxed. And I liked the way that being a blessing to another made me feel about the other person and about me.

Today we are invited to the table of blessing. It is not a table of cursing. At this table we can confess that we have at times this week said and wrote things that were harmful to a person who is made in the image of God.

But we can give all of that to God and ask God to forgive us and make all things new. Because taking in these elements is the reminder of that forgiveness from God.

God does not condemn us for the ways we have done hurtful things to others. Instead, God through Jesus Christ forgives us.

Being forgiven, we can re-commit ourselves to be a blessing. A blessing to people made in the image of God.

Today, we are invited to the table. Invited to be blessed so that we can be a blessing. AMEN.

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Sutton, Amber, https://www.southernthing.com/things-never-say-to-southerner-2651291959.html?rebelltitem=28#rebelltitem28
-Given: Sept. 12, 2021 in Allison Creek Presbyterian (York, SC)