James 3:10-Blessings versus Curses

May 23, 2024

James 3:10-Blessings versus Curses

This New Testament passage of Scripture was written by James, the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. It discloses to us the true power of the tongue and how it can bring forth life or bring forth death depending on your words. Almost the entire third chapter of James is exposing the small part of the body that has the power to change the entire course of life.

So far we have seen through Scriptures where James calls the tongue a very small rudder that has the ability to steer the direction of one’s future. It has the capacity to start a small fire, spew deadly poison, and can cause great sin if it is not properly tamed. That is why there are so many passages of Scripture in both the Old Testament and the New that warn against the misuse of one’s words.

We often underestimate the great power that our verbiage has. One of the most distinct places that disclose how potent your words are is found in Proverbs 18:21 it states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” This passage shows us that our tongues can literally cause death or life into every circumstance depending on what we choose to say.

What are some examples of death and life, cursing and blessings?

Blessings

Call on the Name of the Lord in times of trouble

Prayer to the Lord for peace and strength

Prayer of request to the Lord for perseverance

Praying to the Lord for yourself and for your family

Prayer request for good health for you and your family.

Curses

Speaking insults to yourself or another person

Slandering another person’s name

Using swear words

Cursing another person by the words spoken out of your mouth (word curses)

These are just some of the examples of Blessings and curses that can come upon your life. A huge part of ensuring that you are abiding by the Word of God is the taming your tongue.

Unfortunately it is in our human nature to want to clap back and snap back when we feel like we have been treated unjustly. What we fail to understand and realize is the fact that every one of those negative words being spoken out of your mouth has a repercussion regardless of the circumstance. Our Lord Jesus Christ expects us to show the kind of love that He shows us. We are His representation here on Earth.

Now let’s take a closer look at the primary Scripture that I am highlighting out of the book of James.

James 3:10

“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”

The word “mouth” being used in the passage is the Greek word “stoma” which means: properly, the mouth as a part of the body: of man. The word “blessing” being used is the Greek word “eulogia” which means: an invocation (prayer) of blessings, benediction. The word “cursing” being used is the Greek word “katara” which means: an execration (insult), imprecation (swearing), a curse.

So what we can gather out of the first part of this verse is the fact that James is explaining to us is that our mouth should not speak blessings and prayer and then turn around and speak insults, curse words, or language of slander. God is extremely clear that out of the abundance of your heart your mouth will speak, Luke 6:45.

So if you are speaking vile and offensive words out of your mouth it doesn’t matter how much you pray and speak blessings over your life. Those nasty negative words will literally cancel out the Blessings that the Lord is trying to give you.

Then James goes on to say my “brethren” or “fellow believer” this should not be! In other words he is telling us that as believers of Jesus Christ we should not be speaking contrary to what the Word of God says. We were created in God’s likeness and we should strive to be more and more like Him every single day.

The next passage of Scripture, James 3:11, ties into this one and it is very telling as it explains that a spring of fresh water and bitter water cannot come out of the same opening. What James is saying is that two completely different kinds of waters that produce two different kinds of elements cannot come out of the same place. Likewise we should not allow positivity and negativity to come out of the same mouth!

The Lord gives us many warnings and consequences throughout all of Scripture pertaining to the way that we speak. It is our responsibility to study to show ourselves approved so that we can rightly divide the Truth of God, 2 Timothy 2:15. God also makes it plain to us that we are destroyed because of the lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6.

The Knowledge that He is referring to is the True Wisdom that can only be found in the Lord’s Word. When you do not know the Biblical laws outlined for you in the Holy Bible, you are bound to get yourself stuck in challenging circumstances.

One of the most powerful Biblical laws that God gives us is found in Galatians 6:7 and it states, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” If you sow negativity you will reap negative outcomes and if you sow positivity you will reap positive ones. James is warning us to be very cautious about how we choose to use one of the smallest members of our bodies, our tongue!

Also, don’t forget to check out my other blogs:

James 3:8-The Unruly Tongue

James 3:6-Your Tongue is a Fire

James 3:4-5-Be Mindful of Your Tongue

James 2:2-3-Be Mindful of Showing Special Attention

Who is Jesus’ brother James?

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Fight Back

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Feed Your Spirit

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Renouncing

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Confess and Repent

Recognizing Spiritual Strongholds

What are Spiritual Strongholds?