What Does James 3:10 Mean?

from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

James 3:10(NASB)
Picture courtesy of Dave At Imagebase

Verse of the Day

We are required by God to conduct our lives with godly wisdom and spiritual understanding, but the most unruly evil, which is incapable of being subdued by self-effort or rigorous training, is the taming of the tongue.

This little organ can produce the most beautiful blessings which give glory of God, while at the same time can pour forth the most un-sanctified filth and blasphemy which discredits His holy name. These things ought not to be.

The same mouth should not pour forth both sweet and bitter water, and this is not only an admonition for the few, but a warning that is applicable in the life of all believers. An important key to godly speech is right thinking. Godly words that reflect a biblical perspective are rooted in a mind that is stayed on Christ. Gracious thoughts and purity of heart is a manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in a life that is governed by God and walking in spirit and truth.

Humility, grace, peace, and love are the precious spiritual fruit that should be evident in the life of all God's children who have gained wisdom and been given godly understanding. The Lord Jesus Himself was the embodiment of all holy wisdom, and the personification of godly humility. The Lord Jesus was the one Who, throughout His earthly life, demonstrated how all humanity was originally designed to live, and He remains the perfect example of a Man with godly wisdom and gracious understanding for He was meek and lowly of heart, and in Him we find rest for our soul.

As children of God, we are called to live as Christ lived. We are instructed to live circumspect lives that glorify our Father in heaven, and so we are asked: "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom." 

If we are to live the sort of life that God intends, where good behaviour and godly deeds reflect the gentleness and wisdom of God, the old self must remain nailed to the Cross so that the life of Christ may live in and through us, to His praise and glory.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus' example of how to live on earth to Your praise and glory. I pray that I would not act hypocritically, praising God in one breath and cursing Him in another, but I pray I would reflect the Lord Jesus, speaking always in spirit and in truth with all wisdom and understanding. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Picture courtesy of Dave At Imagebase

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