Read James 3:1-2
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Those who are never at fault in what they say are perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. (James 3:1-2)
We return to calmer waters although it could be said that false or unkind words may sometimes result in a storm! James now goes on to teach about taming the tongue. He says that not many of us should presume to be teachers because we will be judged more strictly. Obviously James is referring primarily to those who teach God’s Word – but it is admissible to widen the meaning to include those who are teachers in any sense of the word. That will include all of us because each day there is probably someone whom we are instructing, advising or to whom we are offering our opinion.
We all fail with our words in two ways. Firstly, what we say may be untrue, unkind or uncalled for. Secondly, we fail to put into practice the teaching or advice that we give. We say to our hearers: “Do what I say but do not do what I do!” And so none of us is perfect and able to keep a strict control of our tongue and therefore all the other parts of our body.
But there is one Person, who lived on this earth and who now is seated at the right hand of God, who is perfect. With regard to His tongue, Jesus repeatedly told His hearers: “I tell you the truth.” Jesus was never mistaken neither did He lie and so He never came under His Father’s judgment because of His teaching. When praying for His disciples, Jesus said to His Father: “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.” (John 17:8a). Jesus also said to His Father, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4) There was no conflict between His words and His deeds. Jesus Christ is the only Person who, during His lifetime on earth, was able to walk the talk.
Do those with whom we come into contact see that we are seeking to walk the talk?
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
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