James comes down very heavy on the evil of the unruly tongue. Everywhere you look you see the lie running rampant ("Talk is cheap" being a common phrase.) James speaks not to the world, but addresses the church of God and so also he admonishes us! "Be not many masters" or teachers. James is talking about teachers in a broad perspective and focus' on the Word that is spoken in the office of all believers. We often offend in our speaking wanting to be masters in it!

This has weight to it. We certainly hold those called to offices that require teaching in high esteem, but James speaks to all believers and warns against being "hasty" in our speech and using condescending speech. We are children of God first and foremost having the Holy Spirit and being led in the truth. This means 1) that the Holy Spirit leads us in the truth ALWAYS and 2) it is the Holy Spirit that gives us an aptitude for the truth of God that echoes truth so we know when the truth turns into the LIE! We inherently know when things are being compromised. We have "no need that anyone teach us." Not meaning we don't need teaching or teachers, but drawing from HIS WORD we are able to KNOW the Word of God to teach and be taught in the TRUTH of God and in regards to all things!

This is heavy as there are consequences. James says those who violate will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is evident that this is weighty because there are such serious consequences. Many seminarians have taught LESS than the TRUTH and many congregations have fallen away as a result. We must be well founded in the Word of God when and before we speak. The love of God in our heart requires us to speak the WORD OF GOD in love about others and about that Word of God ALWAYS! All must build to edify in it! Many usurp the office to speak of themselves and the lie (like the Pharisee) and today many speak it often, speak it loud. It is deceit and ALL the lie. They elevate themselves and are worshiped themselves. That is why we are so careful. That is why it does not matter if you like a pastor who pours over a text and teaches the TRUTH of God from it as it must be taught! We know the consequences as we can see it all around us! We ARE responsible!

We are all required to speak the TRUTH in love! Why the fighting in the church? Because we often do not speak the truth in love. The teaching, the discipline, and leading in the truth. We must be diligent to:

1) Crucify the flesh in the eye as we lift ourselves up to be masters. It is better to be humble, using the wisdom of God's Word as it must be the thrust of our speech!

2) Everything we speak must have its basis IN the WORD OF GOD and we speak knowing our words have weight!