Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29
James 3:1-12 offers a powerful warning against one of our most common sinful behaviors, improper use of language. It is imperative that we distinguish proper from improper use of the tongue. If we are not careful, we will become silent when we ought to say the right things, and that would be just as sinful. Nonetheless, we must avoid the use of what Jesus described as “idle” words (Matthew 12:36). The term means “lazy, shunning the labor which one ought to perform” (Thayer). The English Standard Version translates the word “careless.” The common thread in these is that the one so speaking does not put the necessary effort into their speech to ensure it is proper.
Words so often slip off the tongue far too easily, and avoiding this phenomenon takes much effort. When someone wants to avoid criticism or trouble, the temptation to utter lies is strong, but a lying tongue is an abomination in God’s eyes (Proverbs 6:16-19). When someone criticizes or mistreats us, it is easy to spew angry words, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). When our peers make crude and unseemly jokes, it is easy to get swept up in the same folly, but the Lord will make no exception for caving to peer pressure (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4). When we hear a story about someone or form a negative opinion in some other way, the temptation to speak ill of the person is strong, but gossip and slander are strongly condemned (Proverbs 10:18; Matthew 15:19; 1 Peter 2:1). While we must only speak what is true, we are not obliged to speak every true thing we know because it is unnecessary and often harmful.
The list of ways we may misuse our tongues could continue ad nauseum, but these are sufficient to understand why James gives such a grave warning against untamed tongues. Let us consider the words of our Lord concerning idle words and remember “…that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
Thankfully, we can learn and grow beyond these tendencies and use language for the purposes God intended. After all, He chose language as the medium for spreading the gospel which saves us from our sins. Without the word of God, we would all be lost. So, with Paul’s pleading in mind, we make it our aim to,“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6). One way to ensure our speech is gracious is to examine our words and their purpose to be sure they are “…good for necessary edification (building up-TH), that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Remember, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). As we sing with our young people, “Oh, be careful little mouth what you say. For the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say” so let us live every day of our lives.