READ: JAMES 3: 1-12
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and fish. But no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. (V.7)
The courts serve as the hub of the wheel in the American Criminal Justice System. They are charged with determining guilt or innocence through the use of established legal principals and procedures. This requires the employment of elaborate rules of evidence by highly educated ethical officers of the court. Impartial juries of one’s peers are the ultimate determining body of the truth which establishes guilt or innocence. Peoples very lives often hand in the balance of the decisions that are rendered within the “Marble Halls of Justice!”
However, the never-ending search for truth often proves to be an elusive target in today’s courtrooms. Although factual scientific evidence plays a more prominent role, most courtroom decisions are still dependent upon direct witness testimony. This is where the search for truth begins to unravel as witnesses fabricate, enhance and change their accounts of events before the court. Motivation for this behavior is produced by intimidation or fear of reprisal, but more frequently its associated with attempts to cover one’s shortcomings or misdeeds. Other times it surrounds a close economic or emotional tie to the parties involved. No matter the cause or motivation, lying in court to advance one’s own interests has become far to commonplace. The search for truth is often negated by perjured testimony creating a serious moral dilemma in an institution that is one of the cornerstones of our democracy.
James, the brother of Jesus, sends a very blunt message—guard your tongue! They serve as instruments of fire, lies, distortions or truth and peace at the will of the speaker. The courts are just one visible example of how “fork-tonged” behavior is used, by the Devil, to undermine the correct moral teachings of God set forth in the Bible. We need to reverently pray and ask Jesus to help us bring our tongues and lives under the control of the Holy Spirit. This will help us refrain from delivering perjured testimony in the “Courts of the Lord’s House,” which in reality is all of His creation. The task can prove daunting for we are fallen creations in a fallen world. But our patient and forgiving God took the first step by giving his Son for our failures. He simply asks that we think of him before we speak. Jesus is indeed the way the truth and the life. Follow Him and know freedom from perjury!
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Is your tongue an instrument of fire, perjury or peace?
Jesus, have mercy on me for failing to tame my tongue and be the guardian of my heart, mind and lips.