18.11 | Push the Heart
James 3:1-4:12
‘For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.’
James 3:2
There’s a mechanical device known as a flywheel. A flywheel is a heavy metallic disk that spins on a smooth axle, and is used in a piece of machinery as a means of retaining energy. As the wheel begins moving, it builds momentum through continually spinning. Because of its weight, a flywheel doesn’t begin moving easily, and yet, continual pushes in the same direction can build extraordinary momentum, moving it to incredible speeds. On the other hand, little pushes in the wrong direction can seriously inhibit the momentum of a flywheel. The secret of the flywheel is not found in great strength, but great consistency of little pushes in the same direction.
James today introduces some ideas that seem, at a first glance, a little contradictory.
Your words, he tells us, reveal the things that are in our hearts. Like a spring of water or the fruit of a tree, that which comes out of us reveals that which is in us. A healthy spring is recognised by clean water. A healthy tree is known by good fruit. From angry outbursts to words of encouragement, fretful worries to visionary plans—the words that we say are like windows into the inner workings of our souls.1
And yet, James gives us another angle on this theme, that appears contradictory.
The tongue is like the bit in the mouths of horses.
The tongue is like the rudder on a ship.
The perfectly controlled tongue speaks of a perfect person.
The tongue, James is saying, leads the condition of our hearts.
So which is it? Do our hearts lead our words, or do our words lead our hearts?
The answer is both. The content of our hearts directs the content of our words, and yet the contents of our words also influences the atmosphere of our hearts. Like little pushes on the flywheel, words of grace and truth and wisdom build momentum in a heavenly direction, whereas words of bitterness and jealousy and fear inhibit the heavenly momentum of the flywheel and stunt our spiritual growth.
As the passage goes on, James bounces between these two ideas.
If you have bitter jealously and selfish ambition in your hearts, he says, do not boast.
In other words, if you have bad stuff in your hearts, change your words.
What causes quarrels among you? (Words) Is it not your passions? (Hearts).
And yet, Do not speak evil against one another, he says.
Why?
Because evil words leads to evil in our hearts.
Reflect on this in your own experience. When you speak words that are sarcastic, passive-aggressive or unkind, do they not have the effect of making you feel more bitter and critical? Isn’t there something in words of fear that make you feel more fearful, or (conversely) words of love that make you feel more kind?
My friends, this is there for our encouragement and our empowerment. For the complex feelings within can be transformed greatly by little pushes upon the flywheel of the soul. The choice of words of kindness and patience bear great impact, quenching the flames of destruction and making the bitter waters of a polluted spring gradually sweeter. You grasp the steering wheel of this ship, with your small choices of words able to turn the direction of your life, for your every choice towards the words of heavenly wisdom are met by the Spirit of God, who empowers your healing.
Harsh words will come, and when they come, allow them to reveal to you the fears and hurts that you need to see. Surrender these too to the Lord for His healing. And yet, dear friends, get up, dust yourself off, and begin turning the flywheel again.
For when hearts and words give little continual small pushes in the heavenly direction, the momentum can be extraordinary.
Reflect:
You may need to let go of the words of yesterday, before you are ready for the words of today. Release those things said that you are clinging to, for they are gone, and the Cross of Jesus invites you to a new day today.
And then, offer Him your tongue again, that your words may bring life to those around you, and that your words today may bring life to your heart within.
Pray:
Father of wisdom,
When my words have caused pain,
Division,
Jealousy,
Sorrow,
I am sorry.
They show me the wounds of this heart,
That stoop lower than
Your beauty and Your peace.
And so, dear Father,
Today, I offer you this heart,
And I offer you this tongue,
That my heart may be a clean spring—
Full of the loving life of heaven itself,
And my words may be feed the springs of the soul
With peace, wisdom, and love,
That I may be like you,
And that my words and ways
Be heavenly.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Old Testament:
For those also reading the Old Testament this year, your additional readings are here:
Ezekiel 36-37 | Psalm 131
James’ words echo straight from the teachings of Jesus. e.g. Luke 6:45.
“Lord, let my words be sweet and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.”