In this study through the book of James, we have seen much concerning the tongue and the responsibility of being a teacher. James records for us the severity of teaching, and how those who take on this weighty responsibility will receive a stricter judgment. James further discusses the positive and negative power of the tongue, and how the Christian must be consistent with this great member of the body. James paints a beautiful word picture for us concerning this very powerful instrument given to us by God. But how are we to use it? How did God intend for us to use our tongue? In 1 Peter 2:21, the apostle writes “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps…”. In order to answer the question “how do we use our tongue?” we must go to the Master Teacher, observing His example. How did Jesus use His words?
He Used His Words Tactfully—While on earth, Jesus did and said many things. However, one thing Jesus did not do was use His words impulsively. The Messiah knew exactly how to use His words in such a way that would inform the ignorant, silence the fool, instruct the wise, and teach the student all at the exact same time, while also glorifying His Heavenly Father in the process. Matthew records for us a day Jesus taught, rebuked, silenced, and revealed all at once, and He did it tactfully. In Matthew 12, Jesus was approached repeatedly by the Pharisees. They desired to trick Him by making accusations, questioning His authority, and even associating His power with demonic spirits. Jesus responds to every single attack with skill and sensitivity while dealing with others, and with difficult issues. Jesus understood the power of the tongue and used it tactfully.
He Used His Words Sparingly—When we think of Jesus as the Master Teacher, we typically go to passages showing Him to be patient, understanding, and teaching in such a way that people from all walks of life could understand and relate. One thing we do not bring out in Jesus showing His wisdom in teaching is when He chose not to speak. The physician Luke records a moment in Jesus’ life when He kept silent, ignoring one who had a desire to hear Jesus. In Luke 23:8-11, it says “Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him…” However it says, “…but He answered him not a word.” Why would the loving and caring Jesus ignore someone who had a desire to hear from Him? It was because Jesus understood the ancient proverb “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him” (Pro. 26:4). Herod had no desire to hear the truth. He wanted Jesus to perform a show of entertainment. Jesus did not use His words to entertain kings like a jester, He used them to glorify God.
He Used His Words Scripturally—After Jesus was baptized, fulfilling all righteousness, he was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the adversary. While being tempted, Jesus only responded in one way—“It is written.” (Matt. 4:4-10). If you look at these passages, you will also see how Satan uses the same phrase, but there is a difference. Jesus spoke scripturally while Satan only spoke with scripture. Just because one uses scripture, it does not mean they are teaching the truth. James warns us by saying not many of us need to be teachers for a lack of self-control (Jas. 3:1ff). There are some, like Satan, who will twist God’s Word for selfish ambition. Jesus on the other hand used His words scripturally, approved of by God. He allowed God’s Word to speak for itself (Matt. 21:42).
He Used His Words Plainly—Something else Jesus did with His words was He used them in a way that others could understand Him. He spoke in parables (Mark 4:10-12), and taught in such a way that everyone from all walks of life could hear the truth. He talked to those who were rejected (John 4:7-42), He talked to the rich and wealthy (John 5:1-15), He talked to rulers and leaders (Mark 5:21-43), He talked to tax collectors (Luke 29:1-10), He talked to adulterers (John 8:1-11), He talked to Jews (Luke 6:6-11), and He talked to Gentiles (Matt. 8:5-13). He used his words in such a wasy so that He could relate to all kinds of backgrounds and tell all of them the same truth so that everyone one of them could understand.
He Used His Words Authoritatively—One of the most famous ways Jesus used His words was with authority. This was actually one of the reasons Jesus stood out as a teacher. It says the crowd was amazed at His teaching because he was one having authority unlike the scribes (Matt. 7:28-29; Mark 1:22). Jesus was able to speak with authority for a number of reasons, one of them being because He was using the Words that had all authority, God’s Word. Jesus was not timid when it came to proclaiming the Kingdom of God and His Message. He spoke boldly, courageously, and authoritatively.
By looking at all of these examples of how Jesus used His words, as well as looking at the exhortation from James in his epistle, how should we apply this? Understanding our words have meaning, power, impact, and consequences, we must respect the powerful weapon God has given to us, using it to glorify Him. The way we do that is by knowing the power behind the tongue, using it with skill and sensitivity, not being rash but knowing when to speak and when to be silent. We must only speak where the Bible speaks and stay silent where the Bible is silent. We must speak in such a way that all can understand the truth plainly and know that we speak by the authority of God. So next time a word is about to pass through your lips, ask this question, “Would Jesus say this?”