One of the Chinese dishes that is famous world over is "sweet and sour". You could have it as fish, pork or, with a little bit of variation, "lemon chicken". As you bite into the dish your tongue is tickled with both the sweet and sour tastes. It tricks the tongue and gives you a special sensation. Getting hungry? I am! Well this is something you put into your mouth. There is also that which comes out of your mouth.
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
A teacher is listened to carefully and has to watch what he or she says. Even if it is not recorded on an electronic media, it is recorded in the hearts and minds of people. The tongue is powerful and, in human history, it has shown how minds can be changed and movements created for either good or bad.
But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
Our speech is a reflection what goes on in our hearts and minds. In fact James goes on to say that it is under demonic influence when bad things are being said. This comes from within the person. You may say "sweet" things but it could be negated by "sour". And so we need to have a change of heart from God to speak right and be a blessing.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Only through the power of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus a person can be helped to be right, do right and speak right. The Holy Spirit negates the evil work operating over our lives. An effective teacher, and one in whom many find true wisdom and the demonstration of this, will be a great blessing to his or her students. It cannot be sweet and sour. Your word and deed need to be in alignment.
Father, come help me with my speech through my heart today.
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