Tip of the Tongue

Last night at The Riv we examined James 3:3-12 together. To summarize the talk succinctly: "Life and Death are in the power of the tongue".

The tongue is a funny organ (I don't know if it is actually an organ, but it has made some sweet music)! We use it in our speech. It makes distinct sounds in our communications. In addition it is how we taste things....

A few weeks ago I was eating a flavored polish dog- apple Gouda to be exact-. It was very tasty. Bella (my funny little two year old girl) said- "Can I have a taste"? Interesting phrasing I thought. I said- "I don't think you'll like it"......"I will, I will, I will daddy" came her response. So I handed her the bun enshrined dog and she opened her cute little mouth widely! She bit into the apple Gouda brat-initially w/ a look of "See, I DO LIKE IT DADDY" on her face. Gradually, her expression changed. Now her face was communication a look of- "Eww, this is gross!". Suddenly, w/o warning, she opened her mouth and let the Glorious brat fall to the ground. She brushed her tongue like it was on fire, reaching for my mountain dew! As she took in the Tongue Rescuing Dew, she didn't swallow- rather she allowed for the Dew to wash away the bitter taste from her not yet developed taste buds. With a serious look on her face she retorted back to me- "Daddy, you were right (words I seldom here from the women in my life!)- I didn't like it. It taste like CRAP!" As much as I enjoy that brat- I hate that my Bells had to endure such hostility from the not so (to her) delicious brat.

James in his ORTH-BRO-PRAXY, equates the tongue to both the source which produces bitter tastes, and to the way our words/actions are tasted by others. Our tongues not only are the source of Death and Life when we speak, but also how we hear/taste. Which gives refreshing insight to the proverbial statement- "I left with a bad taste in my mouth".

Obviously James doesn't want us to figure out a formula in which we speak robotically to others or like a machine sit quietly w/o response to the words of others. I think of a church I attended as a youth where in order to "be thankful for all things" we were taught to say "Thank you Jesus" after everything, especially the bad things that happen. Somehow-that doesn't seem to create a heart of gratitude, and often it was said in sarcasm or anger. Programmed Speech, well that is the actual, Spurious Religion that James is counseling us not to partake of.

As we look ahead to our Talk on James 3:13-18 this coming week- it is clear there is tension in how we choose to live in regards to our tongues. There is much Ortho-Paradoxy! Right Paradox or Right Tension. Tension is good, not bad.

So how do we discipline our tongues without become Robotic or Contrived?

Last week I read over Jonathon Edwards resolutions (70 of them). Although many may be irrelevant for us in today's world or out of our paradigm, there is much wisdom in his heart for Being the People (person) of God and seeking Kingdom Community. Perhaps we need our own Communal Resolutions concerning the tongue. A couple of J.E.'s resolutions probably would be wise for us to adopt, and refresh as our own communal resolutions:

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.

Life and Death are in the power of the Tongue! All the more we should endeavor to TAME it, together. Like our Lord, and his big brother- James is writing to a Kingdom Community. There is no way we can anything alone (John 15:5 & Psalm 16:2-3..........which Beth K beautifully expounded last Friday), apart from Jesus, who is best experienced in the life of Kingdom Community.

What do we think of these resolutions? How can we rewrite them into our language (as The Riv)? What needs to be added? how do we "stimulate one another to love and good works" especially the works of the tongue? Or maybe, some of us just need to confess to one another here on this blog (don't worry about who sees this....it's not that many people!).

Let's talk this out. Some of our creative writing people- how about writing a resolution or two or rewriting Jonathon Edwards resolutions-.

"Aspiring to be An Afflux of Authentic life (w/ our tongues)" together,

post by
sc