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Sunday September 13, 2009 "Godspeak" James 3:1-12 |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogBrad's Sermons |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 9/16/2009 2:54 PM | Last week, we spent some time looking at James, the brother of Jesus, and his views on living the Christian life through good works. Good works that glorify God and that make our faith come alive for all to see. The message of James was not that faith is unimportant. Rather it was that stepping out in service because of our faith was something that Jesus instructed us to do on several occasions. To James, and to Jesus, how we live our lives, the actions we take, the lives we touch, are all important testimony to our faith.
In this weeks scripture, we see James addressing something similar. Whereas last week we heard a resounding “how we live is important” this week the message is only slightly altered. This week James wants us to see that “what we say is important.”
It’s easy to understand that if we put our faith into action and do our best to help those who need assistance, people will take notice of that and when we do it all to God’s glory, people will certainly take note of that.
But how important are our words? We are inundated with words every day. We speak millions of sentences in our lives. Words are words; they can’t be nearly as important as actions. Can they?
I was raised by parents who instilled in my siblings and me a real understanding of the importance of words. My parents were both pretty low key folks. They believed firmly in the idea that a person should say what they mean and mean what they say. They demanded and modeled honest speaking. They did not believe in talk for the sake of talk. They did not believe in gossip. They knew the power of not speaking, and speaking only when you had something to say.
My father was a quiet man. He could be talkative when he was with friends or relatives, but to those who didn’t know him well, he was sort of a silent type. At church he didn’t get involved in the wrangling over minor issues, even though he was very involved in many, many aspects of the church. He spoke up when he had something to say, and if he had nothing to say, he simply sat and observed.
On one very memorable occasion, the church had been given a gift to update the fellowship hall. The fellowship hall was used during the week as a recreation center for neighborhood kids. A basketball goal hung on one wall, and on the opposite end stood a large stage, where a movable basketball goal could be set up making an almost full size basketball court. The floor had shuffle board courts inlaid. Over the years, tape had been put down to mark off a four-square court. A movable volleyball net with two stanchions could be wheeled into place at a moments notice. The space was even used for that greatest of all kid games, dodge ball.
A gift had been made to the church and a proposal was made to buy beautiful new custom curtains for the fellowship hall so that it would be more suitable for the fellowship dinners and special functions that were occasionally held there. But, if these new curtains were to go up, it would be the end of using the space for athletics and games.
I wasn’t at the meeting where my father spoke, but I sure heard about it later. The congregation gathered to discuss this development and to make a decision. While there seemed to be a pretty big split as to just what to do, it looked like those on the side of beautifying the fellowship hall at the expense of recreation were going to win. Then my father stood up to speak. The way it was described to me was that he spoke softly and firmly, without anger or excitement. He simply stated what no one had said quite so succinctly: if the church voted for the designer curtains, they were voting against the children of the neighborhood.
His words were true and heartfelt. His tone was even. There was nothing left to say.
Half the people there had never heard my father speak in an open meeting. But they knew who he was and respected what he did, and said.
A compromise was reached. Slightly less beautiful, much more durable window coverings were purchased. The fellowship hall looked better. The recreation program never missed a beat.
What we say matters.
How we say it matters.
James was well aware of this. He knew that our tiny little tongues could get us in a world of trouble, if we weren’t careful. Like the rudder of a mighty ship, our tongues can guide us safely through rough waters, or just as easily, leave us smashed upon the rocks. Like the power of the atom, our words can build up, or our words can destroy.
What we say matters.
How we say it matters.
When we speak in anger, we run the risk of losing control of our words. The emotions that well up in us can sometime make us blurt out things that are not helpful. Even worse, we blurt out things we don’t really mean. Things that can never be taken back. When we lash out in anger, cursing our brothers or sisters, James reminds us that we have now run into two problems: First, we have let hatred spew from the same mouth that praises God. How can such hate come from the place that seeks to praise? Second, we have cursed those who are also children of God, and what right do we have to present such evil judgment?
One of the ways that I most fear for our society today is in the hateful speech that is disguised as political discourse. People want to have their voice heard. People want their two cents to be put on the table. But those who would curse others in the name of politics do more damage to themselves than to those they rant against.
James knew this, too. When we speak in anger, in hate, we are the ones who are consumed by the fire ignited by our tongues. We are the ones stained by our vitriol.
But when we speak in anger; when we let our tongues get the better of us, it is hard to see the light of Christ in us. Those who know us might be able to forgive us. Those of who know us might be able to understand. But what of those who do not know us? What of those non-Christians who witness our angry speech in one setting, only to be told that we are good church going people? What would they think?
Take it one step further. What happens when we speak dishonestly? What happens when in the course of our business and personal lives we are not entirely truthful with the people we deal with. We can’t simply fall back on, “Oh, well, that’s the nature of business.” What happens when our public speech does not line up with our private faith? What will non-believers think then?
James makes it clear that he understands that no one is perfect, but he also makes it clear that others are watching us. And the more ammunition we give them, the more they are willing to say, “No thanks, I don’t need to become part of that group.”
What we say matters.
How we say it matters.
James knew what he was talking about. When we speak in anger and without thinking, we dishonor God. When we speak one way on Sunday but another way the rest of the week, we damage the cause of Christianity. When we spread gossip, speak untruthfully, or speak in order to tear down rather than build up, we run the risk of damaging the body of the Christ.
But you know what? There is something missing in
this passage from James. James does a great job of describing what we should NOT do. His understanding of the pain and hurt that can be done by our unthinking speech is absolutely clear and correct. But, still, there are two things missing.
First, where is the positive side of this whole thing? Where is the description of the good that can done with our tongues? How are we supposed to be uplifted by this brother of Jesus wagging his finger at us and saying, “You better watch your tongue.”?
I don’t think James writes more directly about that because simply, that is not the issue here. Before we can ever begin to understand how we can build up with our language and words, we must put a halt to the damage we do. The understanding of the good that can be done will come. But first, we must learn to do no harm. This is who James is. A sort of prickly, very direct interpreter of Jesus’ message. He isn’t in to flowery speech or nuanced prose. He is in effect standing in front of us and saying, “First things first: this has to stop!” As someone who has seen the power of words, good and bad, I agree. I need to hear this message. I need to remember how much damage can be done with ill conceived words. I need to be reminded, and I need it directly and to the point.
But there is something still missing here. Something nags at me. James tells us over and over again what trouble the tongue can cause. He tells us that our tongue can dishonor God. He tells us that our tongue can hurt people. He tells us that our tongue can give people the wrong impression.
What he doesn’t tell us is how to control our tongues.
That is something we must struggle with ourselves. The implication is that through prayer and God’s guidance we can begin to change, but that is sort of vague. But embedded in James’ message is something that I think will help. We must always remember that someone is listening.
I was once an aide to the mayor of Detroit, a brilliant, blunt, honorable man. Some didn’t like him because of his rough language and antagonistic speech. He was the most creatively profane man I have ever been around in my life. And you didn’t want one of his tirades directed at you. His words could sting. His coarse language could offend. Even to those of us who loved him and knew what a good man he was.
Soon after starting to work in the Mayor’s office I noticed that when the Mayor’s language started to get a little salty, or he began to get angry and started denouncing someone or something, the deputy mayor would clear his throat and say, “Is that a microphone?” At which point the mayor would roll his eyes and tone things down.
One day walking down the hall, I asked the deputy mayor what that was all about. The deputy mayor was also a brilliant politician, but when it came to his demeanor, he was 180 degrees away from our boss. He was gentle, well spoken, quiet and nothing but respectful to all he dealt with.
He laughed and said, “We’ve been together for years and one day the mayor asked me how I was able to keep my cool so well all the time. I told him that whenever I am talking, no matter what the situation, no matter the topic, I imagine that my political opponents have hidden a microphone in the room to trap me in some indiscretion. So now, when he gets a little bombastic, I simply ask, “Is that a microphone?” and he gets my point.”
We probably don’t have political opponents waiting to discredit us…but someone is listening. Those whom we hope to influence; those who are looking in from the outside; those who look up to us for guidance. And the words of Jesus from the gospel according to Matthew also let us know that someone else is listening, too. Hear the words of Jesus: “I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
James is only echoing his brothers words. If either of their words sound harsh, it is because they love us and they want us to hear and really listen. They want to make sure we have every opportunity to have a full, fruitful relationship with God. Like parents training up a child to follow the right path, the words of Jesus and James may be difficult to hear. But they are said directly and strongly so that we might get the message.
What we say matters.
How we say it matters.
Someone is listening.
“Is that a microphone?”
Let us pray: Gracious God, help us to understand that everything we say reflects on you. Help us to understand that everything we say has the potential to help, or to hurt. Help us to always choose our words wisely so that we might always help, we might always uplift, we might always honor your holy name. Amen.
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