If you’re like me, you make a lot of mistakes. You decide that you’re not going to eat out for lunch, you prep your food at home, only to leave it on the kitchen counter— only realizing your mistake when you get to work (this may be what happened to me today). But, hey, none of us are perfect, right?
Well, this week, James tells us how we can be. Perfect, that is. Only, it won’t help us at all to think that he really means “perfect” in the sense that most of us think when we hear that word. No. For James and those who would read his letter, the word that is often translated as “perfect” is the Greek word teleios (τελειος) and, when it is applied to people, has more of the meaning of “completeness.” The NIV does a good job of translating this word as “mature” in James 1:4, so let’s have that meaning in mind when we read what James says about being a “perfect.”
Because I believe it is better to aim towards maturity rather than perfection. Perfection isn’t attainable, no matter how hard we try until we’re with Jesus. We’ll still sin. We’ll still make mistakes. But we can be mature and recognize that there are mistakes that are not sinful, but merely a part of being a finite human creature.
Okay, so let’s look at how James says we can be mature.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 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. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.”
(James 3:1–5)
James tells us how we can be mature: be able to keep your mouth in control. If you can do that, you can keep your whole body in check, too. Think about it. It’s easier to say something that hurts someone than to physically hurt them. If we can tame the tongue, then we will be mature and complete.
But there’s a problem with that.
“every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”:
(James 3:7–8)
So, we can’t be mature and complete, then? If no human being can tame the tongue, then aren’t we doomed to saying not only “nobody is perfect” but also “nobody can be mature”?
No, thankfully. Because even though no human being can tame the tongue, God can. But he doesn’t do it alone. He works with us to make it happen.
So, how do we work with God in taming our tongues?
1. Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2–4).
2. Ask God for wisdom, he will generously give it to you without finding fault in you (James 1:5).
3. Don’t blame your temptations on God (James 1:13).
4. Be quick to hear, be slow to speak, and be slow to anger when life is not going your way (James 1:19).
5. Humbly receive the word of truth, the Gospel, implanted in you (James 1:18, 21).
The trials in our lives are a part of God’s work to make us mature. Follow what James says and you’ll be well on your way to becoming mature and complete, able to control your words for the glory of God.
