The Danger of The Inconsistency of the Tongue

James 3 is an amazing chapter on speech and conflict. The overarching theme is the tongue, and the power that is found in the words we choose to speak.

James 3:12 talks of the inconsistency of our nature when it comes to speech and says this, "Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring."

No tree can bring forth fruit that is inconsistent with it's nature.

And yet we see it all the time.

And do I dare say that we do it all the time?

And it is the inconsistency of our mouths that bring about the most danger to our spiritual souls!

Because the truth really is that the mouth that is allowed cursing cannot truly emit also a blessing. The challenge for us really then becomes... can we honestly and faithfully bless the Lord when we have not yet fully learned to control the tongue from speaking negative, evil, bitter words?

It all matters!

To truly bless God means to utterly forbid the cursing of man. Real reverence for our Lord does away with all hateful speech, and places "honoring all" in highest priority next to "honoring God".

Can we truly love God without truly loving God's people? And refusing to allow destructive speech a place within our nature?

Could I be so bold to infer that it is our inconsistency of character that keeps us in bondage and spiritually stifles us? My commentary says it more bluntly than that, "Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think."

And so could it be that we partner with darkness and devils when we allow inconsistency to reign supreme in our speech?

Because bitterness that escapes the mouth negates all manner of blessing we offer to the Father. It completely erases our praise.

True worshippers... the ones the Bible speaks of... those who worship in Spirit and truth... will not allow contradictions and inconsistencies. They will continually strive toward godliness in conduct AND speech.

It all matters!

Language that is meticulously crafted and consistently well-managed is the genuine produce of a heart set apart for Him. We must co-labor with Divine Grace to bless and not curse and then actively devote ourselves to the consistency of His nature made available for adoption by each and every one of us.

Our praise cannot be appropriately endorsed when our inconsistent vocal performance is absurdly exploited.