What does it mean that blessing and cursing should not come from the same mouth (James 3:10)?

Response

In James 3:10, the apostle emphasizes the contradictory nature of the tongue. He states, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way” (ESV). James argues why believers should use their tongues to “bless our Lord and Father” rather than “curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (verse 9).

Taming the tongue is a challenging task, even for believers. James mentions, “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” «My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. », (James 3:1, ESV). We stumble or sin with our words due to our imperfections. Despite our flaws, we should aim to mirror Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions: “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2;ESV).

James denounces the inconsistency of using the same tongue for both blessing and cursing. Whether in church or prayer, we may praise God with our mouths, yet later speak ill of those who offend us—James asserts, “This should not be” «Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. », (James 3:10). Many concepts in James resonate with Proverbs, such as the use of the tongue for blessing and cursing: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” «Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.»

, (Proverbs 18:21, ESV). If we are not careful, we can cause significant harm with our words. David also had to deal with individuals who “take pleasure in falsehoods. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse” «They only consult to bring him down from his high position: They delight in falsehoods: They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. », (Psalm 62:4).

In the same context of blessing and cursing, James describes the tongue as “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” «but no man can tame the tongue; it is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. », (James 3:8, ESV). The tongue is malevolent and lethal when not used appropriately. The tongue should only be employed to “bless our Lord and Father” (verse 9). Instead, we use it to bless the Lord and “curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (ESV). How can this happen? How can we bless, praise, and worship God one moment, and then turn around and speak ill of our brothers and sisters in Christ? This occurs because we overlook the fact that people are created in the likeness of God. The image of God, therefore, establishes the ethical basis for the correct use of the tongue.

Satan delights in sowing discord and hearing individuals curse one another. We must not give him an opportunity «nor give place to the devil. », (Ephesians 4:27). Instead of allowing Satan to govern our tongues, we should submit ourselves to the Lord and ensure that our speech will “always be gracious, seasoned with salt” «Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. », (Colossians 4:6, ESV). Genuinely

The believers are characterized by gracious speech.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on James 3:10 remains relevant even 300 years after its writing: “True religion does not allow contradictions: many sins could be avoided if people were always consistent! Pious and uplifting language is the authentic result of a sanctified heart; and those who comprehend Christianity do not anticipate curses, lies, boasting, and reviling from the mouth of a genuine believer, just as they do not expect the fruit of one tree from another” (Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible).