What’s Down in the Well
A few weeks ago, I delivered a sermon at the Riverway service (11:15 a.m. Sundays in the Parish Life Center). The sermon was on Chapter 3 of the Epistle of James. One of the key ideas in James 3 is that of “taming the tongue” and that our words reveal what’s in our heart. In this thought, James is not alone. He is echoing the words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel.
Really, the entirety of James 3 is an extended exposition on this idea from Matthew:
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
Matthew 12:34b
After the service, Jim Jackson[1] pulled me aside and said, “What’s down in the well, comes up in the bucket.”
Have you ever used words as a weapon? Have you ever said something in anger or frustration not because it was true, but because it would damage the other person? Have you ever used your words to make someone else feel as miserable as you feel? I’m sure most of us can remember a time when we’ve done or said something like this.
Remember the criteria that James uses to help us know the character qualities we are supposed to embody: “peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17, NIV)
If our words do not demonstrate these things, it’s a fair bet that our hearts don’t fully demonstrate these things either! Pray and ask God that He would soften our hearts and teach us His wisdom so that our words would edify others rather than tear them down. This isn’t simply a test of willpower! It’s a venue for God to move in and change our hearts to be more like His!
Because what’s down in the well, comes up in the bucket.
[1] The Rev. Dr. Jim Jackson is teaching a Christian Education class called “A Short History of Christian Thought” in Bagby Parish Hall at 10:15 on Sundays through Lent.
