In Check

May 25

James, the half-brother of Jesus takes the use of the tongue very seriously, perhaps because before he became a believer, he said some disparaging things about a family member whose role was not evident to him. Perhaps he, as have many of us, mocked and vilified the One he did not understand. (See the discourse between Jesus and His brothers in John 7:2-10.)

In this incident alone, James was virtually challenging Jesus to expose Himself to the vitriol of the religious hierarchy who were plotting His death and seeking ways to facilitate killing Him. If for no other reason, James had cause to regret his insistence that Jesus attend the Feast of Tabernacles under the pretense of believing that if He did, many followers could see His miracles.

The brothers challenged Him, “No man does anything in secret but desires to be known openly, so, show Yourself to the world! But the brothers said these things though they did not believe in Him,” (John 7:4, 5). Many of us have challenged believers to take a bold stand before those who deny the truth—not because we wanted to see the truth proclaimed but because we wanted to watch the mockery of the faithful that we knew would ensue.

James knew there were many ways to stumble, to fall from faith, thereby to fall from grace, but he also knew the man who could keep his tongue in check had taken great strides toward godliness. He stated, “We all stumble in many ways, but the one who keeps his tongue is a perfect man, for he can keep his whole body in check. Much as we can control a warhorse by the bit in his mouth, so we control ourselves when we master control of our tongue,” James 3:2, 3.