Blessing and Cursing

“Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:9-10)

James is writing to Christians in this epistle, so if you who read his words are a Christian take it as being written to you.

James may be addressing that person who went to church on Sunday and sang the doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” followed by, “Oh, how I love Jesus.” On the way home he was cut off in traffic by someone in a hurry. The man coming from church turns the air blue with his cursing and obscene name calling toward the careless driver.

I think of the American Indian who spoke of the dishonest settler, “White man speak with forked tongue.” Men of all races could be included in that accusation.

James concludes this verse by addressing his readers as, “My brethren.” He is speaking to fellow believers when he says, “These things ought not to be.” One’s tongue must be surrendered to God because in James 3:8 we read that no man can tame the tongue.