Common Sense tells us to cover our mouths

We all know to cover our mouths when we sneeze to prevent the spread of germs. The Book of James also teaches us to cover our mouths spiritually. Our words can also spread many unhealthy things. 

This topic is a tough one. James teaches: “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:2). In other words, all of us will say wrong things because there is no such thing as a perfect person. We all forget to cover our mouths at times spiritually, and our words infect others as a result.

Did you get through the recent political election without saying something you regret? Did you get through yesterday without saying something that would have been more helpful to have left unsaid? James makes it clear that we all sin in this area, and we need to consider the potential our words have to cause harm and learn to live more cautiously as a result.

This sin is common but more hurtful for some

James 3:1 is one of my least favorite verses in Scripture. The verse says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” I’ve taught for a LOT of years, and this verse makes me gulp every time I read it. 

We who presume to teach others about God must be cautiously careful with our words. I’m careful not to take the Lord’s name in vain by using it as a cuss word or slander. I really hate when people say the name “Jesus” in frustration or anger. But just because that isn’t my personal issue doesn’t mean I won’t take the Lord’s name in vain by using it lightly, without reverence. I enjoy a good joke or clever satire and don’t mind repeating a few things that I know will entertain those around me. The same mouth that teaches the Bible can spout some words that teach a much different lesson.

If, like me, you are a teacher, a minister, or anyone who wants to share a godly witness with the world, we are called to know that our words matter. It’s good common sense for Christians to be careful with our words.

God created us to speak, then asked us to make him Lord of what we say

I wonder if the first recorded sin in Scripture followed words like these from Eve to Adam: “Hey Adam, you have GOT to try this!” We know Satan’s temptation began with a conversation that led Eve to doubt God’s word as truth. When have our words caused others to doubt the truth of God? That is a sobering thought for all of us. We should never underestimate the power our words can have in the lives of others.

James told his readers, “If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things” (James 3:3–5).

God created us to speak, and James reminds us that when we made Jesus Lord, we also made him King of our conversations. How many times have you walked away from a fun conversation only to hear that still, small voice convict you over something you said? The older I get, the quicker those thoughts come. I rarely make it home before I have to pray, “I’m sorry, Lord. I blew that. Please forgive and redeem my words with your own.” 

The church isn’t full of hypocrites

The only reason the church isn’t full of hypocrites, however, is because the church isn’t yet full. A church might run out of seats on Easter Sunday or Christmas Eve. Only then could the church possibly be full of hypocrites.

The reason Christians are labeled hypocrites is because we so often are. It’s okay to acknowledge that we are all sinners because that allows us to help others know that Jesus died for their sins as well. We can tell anyone that the church isn’t full of hypocrites. The church will always make room for one more. 

James wrote, “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:7–8). 

We will never say everything well. Nor will we always speak the truth of God with love. We will never tame our tongues completely. Truthfully, that just means we can help others to know that everyone needs God as much as we do. 

How can you learn to control your words?

The most important part of controlling an addiction is admitting that the addiction is actually controlling you. A typical AA introduction begins, “Hi. My name is _____, and I’m an alcoholic.”

Maybe we should introduce ourselves in a similar way. “Hi. I call myself a Christian, but I’m also still a hypocritical sinner. Thankfully, I’m a sinner saved by grace, and the good news is, God can save you, too.”

As James said, our words can “bless our Lord and Father” and can “curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (From James 3:9). James also said, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). Whatever we say that does not bless a person’s life might actually cause them harm.

That’s why James wrote, “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water” (James 3:11–12). Fresh water was considered a great, life-saving value in the first century. Our words can have that same high value for someone’s eternal life. 

We choose to speak, and we can choose to speak carefully and thoughtfully.

Common sense requires us to ask for help when we need it

No one says everything right. No one speaks only words of kindness. But who do you know who comes close to speaking almost perfectly? I know someone who amazes me in this area. (Yes, Marcia, I’m thinking of you!) I’ve often asked God to help me be more like Marcia. I look up to her because she yields her words to the Spirit’s leadership. I think James would have been impressed with her as well!

Our words matter. Common sense Christianity requires us to value our words enough to submit our mouths to God’s leadership. If Jesus wouldn’t have said it, we shouldn’t either!

A pastor named Buddy Owens is credited with saying, “When you fix your thoughts on God, God fixes your thoughts.” Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36). Let’s fix our minds on “things above,” and then maybe we won’t have as much to fix before that day we stand before God. That’s just good, common-sense Christianity that we can all aim for. That choice will impact a lot of lives, our own included.

Midland: A people, more than a place

My husband was asked to be the interim preacher for First Baptist Midland in 1988. I remember the first weekend I decided to go with him. 

Ryan was two and Craig was three months old. I packed clothes, diapers, bottles, toys, the portable crib, and plenty of snacks for the six-hour road trip to West Texas. After we passed Fort Worth, the landscape flattened into an unending panorama of dirt and mesquite bushes. Abilene came and went, and then the big question became, “How many miles until the next Dairy Queen?” 

Six hours later, in the middle of the almost-nothingness of West Texas, a city skyline arose on the horizon. I use that term loosely. I grew up in the Los Angeles area. For the most part, one city just ran into the next with no gap in between. 

Let’s just say West Texas was a new experience for me. 

I remember distinctly saying, “Why would anyone want to live here?” 

About eight months later, the moving van, filled with our household furniture and “stuff,” pulled up to our new home—in Midland, Texas. 

It’s the people, more than the place 

It’s a long story, but I chose to travel to Midland with Jim almost every weekend of his interim time there. The boys were great travelers, and the six-hour trip was actually pretty good time together. (With a few exceptions, of course!) 

So, every weekend we made the six-hour trip on Friday afternoon and returned late Sunday night. 

Why would we pack a toddler and a baby into the car like that? To summarize: we fell in love with the people of First Baptist Church in Midland, Texas. They quickly became friends. The city quickly became familiar. And, a year later, Jim became the pastor of FBC, and Midland became our home. 

When we heard the news . . . 

Jim and I watched the news of the crazy man with a gun randomly shooting people in Midland and Odessa. He didn’t know them and he didn’t care to know them. He just picked up a gun and shot people who could have been our friends. They might have been friends to him, if he had just given them a chance. 

Jim and I sat stunned, scared, angry, shocked, and saddened, wondering if we knew any of the people. 

Then we realized it didn’t matter if we knew them. We still grieved for all those families. 

Paul’s words, Midland’s hope 

I have a lot of blog readers who live in Midland. But, for all of us, this is Paul’s truth and encouragement to be the people we are called to be, even when others choose crazy. 

Paul was wrapping up his letter to the Thessalonians when he wrote a message I think he would write to Christians in Midland and Odessa today. He said, “Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:8–11). 

How do Christians “stand” firm in the craziness? 

  • Be sober-minded. We often think of “sober” as not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But, maybe it means more. We shouldn’t be controlled by an influence that isn’t of God. We shouldn’t be controlled by our anger, our frustrations, or even our desire for justice in this world. How do we achieve “sober”?
  • Protect your hearts. It will be difficult not to “feel” anger, rage, and even fear. Paul advises we protect our lives by a “breastplate” of Christian faith and love. We protect our hearts (this meant the source of our motivations in Paul’s day) with God’s armor. Christians should be motivated and outwardly covered by our faith and love, not something less.
  • Protect your minds with a helmet. Our hope of salvation is the way we protect our thoughts. This will be so important going forward. Causing fear is a weapon in our world today. Choosing not to fear is how Christians fight back. We have hope, every day. The point of our lives isn’t earth; it is heaven. Your eternity is guaranteed. So, as the hymn says, “Whom then shall I fear?”
  • Strengthen your community of faith. I know a lot of the Christians in Midland, Texas. God will redeem the awful for his greater good. People who fear will be watching the people who are able to stand firm. As Paul said, “Encourage one another and build each other up.” I know these Christians in Midland, and I know Paul would say, “Just as in fact you are doing.”

Christian amidst craziness 

Craziness. There is never a time that Christians have a greater opportunity to stand out. Sadly, there is never a time that Christians have as much permission or temptation from the world to stand with the world. 

Be part of the redemption, and even the revival, that God plans to bring out of the horrible craziness that happens in our world. That is how we can live in this world but not of it. 

“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Midland and Odessa have some of the best and strongest Christian people I know. I’m so, so sorry there was a shooting and innocent lives were lost. It wasn’t fair or even comprehensible to a normal mind. 

Let’s pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who will be God’s workmanship, wearing God’s armor as their witness. I know them—and they are some of God’s finest soldiers. 

Dear friends in Midland: We are praying for you while the world is watching you be the people God has equipped you to be. Stand firm. As my husband and your former pastor Jim would say, “God will redeem what he allowed, for his greater good.”