James 3:1-12 Illustration

James 3 warns us very strongly about how we use our tongues. Specifically, it is the fact that we use the same tongue to bless the Father & curse other people (9).

Being as how I was staying at my parents' house last weekend (for a bit of walking in South Wales - what a complete joy!!) I was spending some time with our two dogs: Willow and Ebony (golden retriever & black lab). They greet one by wagging their tails, etc, etc... But after that, when life has settled down, they life to say hello again by licking ones hand affectionately. It's very sweet of them, and not an unpleasant sensation. They also "clean" you, given half a chance - that is, licking your feet or arms or any bare flesh they can find... Even cleaning your ears if you bend down too much! (I assure you this is less gross than it sounds - it is affectionate & nice).

Then I took them on a walk on Saturday morning, and, low and behold, there they were, eating cow pats - soft, wet, new cow pats.

It is outrageous that those dogs should, with the same tongue, eat cow pats, and yet wash my ears / hands as a sign of affection... Pretty good illustration of James 3:9, I thought - and of the revulsion God must feel at all the evil, deadly, poisonous stuff we do with our tongues.