Truth Still Matters

by Micky Galloway

In James chapter three, James returns to a subject introduced in chapter one. There he had said, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath…” (James 1:19). In this chapter, James cites lack of control of the tongue as evidence of the absence of practical application of religion that makes our religion vain (1:26). Regardless of how scrupulous one might be about observing outward religious forms, if we do not bridle our tongues, we deceive ourselves; we displease God; and our religion is vain (cf. Matthew 15:8-9). James precedes his admonition with the statement, “Ye know this, my beloved brethren…” Indeed, the Old Testament addressed this subject many times. The wisdom writer said, “The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20). David prayed, “Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips” (Psalms. 141:3). We must be careful to weigh well what we say. “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23). “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in network of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). “In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely” (Proverbs 10:19). “He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3). “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him” (Proverbs 29:20). “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). No wonder as James introduces this subject he says, “Ye know this my beloved brethren…” Proper use of the tongue was certainly not a new subject and difficulty knowing what to speak, when to speak, and when to keep silent is not a new problem! Please note, my friends, James is primarily warning teachers to be careful about the use of their tongues. Could it be that James knew that many among preachers would become the worst offenders?

“Be not many of you teachers” (James 3:1). James does not intend to discourage those who are qualified to teach, but our words are worthless if we “say and do not” or if we teach error. The teacher has a grave responsibility. Jesus severely criticized those who sought only to be called “Rabbi,” and he forbade seeking for prominence in teaching (Matthew 23:7-10). The disposition to speak without thinking has always been a besetting sin. Paul wrote of some “desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm” (I Timothy 1:7). These obviously desired to teach others before they had become competent listeners. Others were hypocritical and did not practice what they taught (Romans 2:17-24).

“Knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment” (James 3:1). Paul told Timothy to “preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (II Timothy 4:2-4). Yes, there are some who are looking for some preacher who will tell them their peculiar circumstances are alright, i.e. “peace, peace when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14; cf. 23:17). What if one fails to proclaim truth accurately or does not declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20, 27)? The anathema of God is pronounced upon one who adds to God’s revelation (Galatians 1:6-8; II John 9). Jesus said, “But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh” (Matthew 18:6-7).

There are eternal consequences for teaching that which is false! Colossal damage is done to those who are taught error. I Timothy 1:3ff shows how strife and questions follow such teaching. Paul warned the Ephesian elders, “And from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:30). The elders who taught perverse things would draw away the disciples from truth and consequently from the Lord. Those who taught the Gentiles to be circumcised were “subverting your souls” (cf. Acts 15:24). Hymenaeus and Philetus erred, “saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some” (II Timothy 2:14-18). Indeed! There is no substitute for truth! All the eloquence in the world, all the emotion, all the pleasant platitudes can never do what truth will do. Truth will make you free (John 8:32). Truth will save your soul (James 1:21). Teachers will be held accountable if we mislead others, either by failure to teach or by teaching error. Yes indeed, truth still matters! While most who read this would agree with what is said so far, there is another area where truth still matters, also addressed by James.

There are eternal consequences of speaking falsely of others. We must be “slow to speak” as we speak of other people as well. Consider the destructive effect of the tongue in this area when it is not controlled. “The tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue.” James asks, “how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!” (James 3:5-6). Literally “what size fire kindles what size forest!” The smallest spark can ignite a fire that will burn over a whole forest that possibly contains millions of acres. It is impossible to imagine the ruin to lives and churches that has resulted from careless and cruel words. All too often brethren hear some rumor or one side of a story and then jump to conclusions, spread the story and even condemn those they have heard about. Inspiration declares, “He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him” (Proverbs 18:13). This problem has always existed, but is perhaps worse in the day of e-mail. James still says, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath…” (James 1:19). Truth demands, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people…” (Leviticus 19:16). Do not allow yourself to be someone’s garbage receptacle. Refuse to listen to gossip! The gossiper is a reputation assassin. The poet Jean Blewett has said:

“The man who with the breath lent him by heaven
Speaks words that soil the whiteness of life.
Is but a murderer, for death is given
as surely by the tongue as by the knife.”

One’s thoughts should pass three gates before they are spoken. 1. IS IT TRUE? If it isn’t true, I should not repeat it. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). “Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah…” (Proverbs 12:22). God hates “…a lying tongue” (Proverbs 6:17). “Lie not one to another seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings” (Colossians 3:9). “…All liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone…” (Revelation 21:8). 2. IS IT NEEDFUL? Some things about others, though true, are better left unsaid. “…A talebearer revealeth secrets…” (Proverbs 11:13). “He that repeateth a matter separateth very friends” (Proverbs 17:9 KJV). 3. IS IT KIND? “The words of a talebearer are as wounds…” (Proverbs 18:8 KJV). This is multiplied by the fact that we have absolutely no control over our words after they leave our lips. Words are as feathers carried by the wind. It is impossible to collect them together again. Paul taught, “And be ye kind one to another…” (Ephesians 4:32). When the wisdom writer described the worthy woman he said, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26).

I am perplexed on the one hand with many brethren who have surrendered their participation in contending for truth, no longer set for the defense of the gospel. Kindness and gentleness do not preclude our participation in the battle, nor do these force us to compromise with error. On the other hand, there are those who shoot in every direction, believing that contending for the faith means taking pot shots at everyone who “seems to me,” “appears to me,” to be in sympathy with the enemy. Brethren, let us be sure of our target, before we pull the trigger. I don’t know who is more dangerous, the man who refuses to load his gun in battle or the man who shoots at anything that moves, but I do know this, both have lost sight of the importance of the truth. The “false teacher” needs to be identified and exposed by his error. There is a time to be pointed as Paul was with Elymas when he identified him as, “ full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10). There is also a time however, to beseech in gentleness as Paul did with Philemon, “Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus…” (Philemon 8-9). There is also a time to be “slow to speak,” investigate, and be sure we have all the facts (Proverbs 18:13).

James concludes these thoughts, with this, “Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth … But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace” (James 3:13-18). Perhaps the wise would pray with David, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer” (Psalms 19:14). Yes, beloved, truth still matters!