The Lord's Name (ii)

James closes this verse with a warning,’ so that you may not fall under condemnation.’ our words are sacred, what we say is serious. 

Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 5:37, ‘let anything you say be simply yes or no, anything else comes from evil.’ That word condemnation is used everywhere else in the Bible to talk about the condemnation of those who don’t believe in Jesus. that’s how significant your words are. Really, James says, if your words aren’t under Jesus control, it’s because your heart isn’t either. You words reveal what’s in your heart. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, Luke 6:45 tells us. So what is the abundance of your heart? What flows out of your heart

James isn’t asking us if we’ve ever made a mistake, but he’s asking us about the theme of our lives. Is honest, truthful, God honouring talk the direction of your life and the desire of your heart? Is that what you’re known for? Is that what you want? To respect God’s name, to be known as someone whose yes means yes and who’s no means know. Someone who confesses Jesus with their tongue by guarding their mouth and watching what they say. One commentator said, ‘we ought to be so disposed in thought and speech that we neither think nor say anything concerning God and His mysteries without reverence and much serious that in estimating His works we conceive nothing but what is honorable to Him.’

The devil is called the father of lies in John 8. Jesus said I am the truth. So which are you more like? Who are you following more closely? Constant lying, constantly taking the Lord’s name in vain is evidence that you’re not saved, that you’re failing this test. But Jesus came to save. That’s what His name means, more or less, God saves. And He is willing to save you from condemnation and forgive your dishouring words and dishonest talk. Let’s ask Him to together now.