The one who knows much says little. (Proverbs 17:27a)

If only it were easier to stay quiet. There are oh so many times I wish that I could have stopped before I said the thing that started some stupid argument with a loved one. There are a thousand more times that my listening skills would have been much keener had I not been thinking about what I wanted to talk about next. Even some of what we think are our best words can become superfluous clutter, background noise, or far, far worse when we fail to take responsibility for what comes out of our mouths.

James is right. It is scary to think about just how much damage is done with words. I dare say that all wars, all violence, virtually all acts of aggression and malice start with words before any guns are ever fired or any punches thrown. When rudeness and incivility become commonplace from the bus stop, to the office, to the town hall meeting, how will we ever tame the tongue? Will it indeed be more trouble than taming a tiger? Will we call it for what it is and say that a careless word can (and I quote) ruin the world, turn harmony into chaos, throw mud on a reputation, and send the whole world up in smoke… smoke right from the pit of hell?

I don’t even know where to begin. I could get up on my soap box about all kinds of abuses of words. And yes, there certainly would be some pretty easy targets out there right now. But if all we do is point fingers at the finger-pointers, then we’ve not really paid much attention to how scripture repeatedly calls us to look at ourselves first – to take the log out of our own eye before commenting on the spec found in someone else’s.

This text falls in that category. It is more warning than judgment. “Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher,” is how it starts out. Those who teach the faith are somehow rendered super-accountable for their words. If that’s true, I may be a little more reluctant to take on the “teaching elder” designation that has been a common reference for the pastor in the Presbyterian tradition. James warns that teaching is moral work of the highest caliber. Those who teach are held to the strictest standards, and none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong, he says, nearly every time – especially when we open our mouths.

The subtle reminder here is that although we may have our teaching moments, when it comes to matters of faith we are all more learners than teachers. Taking someone else to task with our words perhaps should be something in the “last resort” category. Nevermind that James felt like he had to write all this down and be a teacher of the faith himself. Nevermind that his words are particularly critical in and of themselves. “You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear water, are you?”

When I think back to the best teachers I’ve had from childhood on through – the ones I remember were not the ones with the most proficient content background or the ones who were killing themselves to do the best job. The teachers I’ve admired most were the ones that brought out the learning in me, not by telling me what to think, but in teaching me to think for myself, in allowing me to discover the truth about the world. The one who knows much says little. In my own multiple roles as “teacher,” I hope that I too can learn to say less and listen more. It may indeed make me a better parent, pastor, spouse, and friend. When we watch our words and hold our tongue; we do save ourselves a lot of grief. I believe it!

So today – rather than being “preachy” with a bunch of illustrations that may or may not fit in with your own experience, I’m going to ask us to spend some time in silence reflecting on our own way with words. It is a communion Sunday, and sharing the table can be a good time to reflect on our own readiness to share the table with all whom Jesus welcomes.

First, take a couple minutes of silence to think about those things you wish you’d never said, the things you would love to scoop back into your mouth and digest rather than have them out there hurting someone else. Give those words to God, and ask for forgiveness.

PRAYER

Next, think about your teaching words. When were those times you were the faithful teacher, and your words of kindness, or trust, or love gave someone else a life. Give those words to God, and ask God to bless the words of your mouth.

PRAYER

Now think about the words that have hurt you. Pray for the person who said them. If you can offer forgiveness, but if you’re not ready for that - simply allow God to sit with you in the hurt.

PRAYER

Now think about the words that have taught you. Pray for your teachers. Be reminded of just how hard it is to have the right word at the right moment. Trust that God is at work in those serendipitous moments.

PRAYER

There’s reason that God comes to us in The Word and through our words. Language is powerful, with the ability to accomplish nearly anything – or destroy nearly anything. Watch your words. Hold your tongue. Learn to say little and listen to even the quietest voices. Don’t be in a rush to be a teacher, but when the time is right, allow God’s wisdom to speak – even through you.

Amen.