A bottle full of words?

(Note: this is a devotional that appeared [in German] in the March 31 edition of the Campus News here at the AWM).

Germans drink a lot bottled water. In fact, bottled water is so valued here that it is almost an offense to offer someone water from a tap. The favorite by far the favorite is sparkling mineral water that often comes from some local well. The varieties of water are almost endless and a trip through the supermarket usually reveals an entire row devoted just to this one product. My observation was confirmed by the website: www.mineralwasser.com (roughly translated!):

"Germany is mineral water land. Contained within its indigenous land is a treasure of water from which more than 500 mineral and 60 "healing" water brands are drawn from over 220 mineral water sources."

What this  tells me, is that when someone in Germany finds a good source of water, it is well worth it to bottle it. There is always a market here for good water!

When James asks his readers in 3:11 (ESV): "Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?" he demonstrates his understanding for what every producer of mineral water knows very well: the quality of water is based on its  source. Good water only comes from good sources, bad water from bad sources.

In this passage, however, James is not especially concerned about sources of water. Rather, he is occupied with sources of words. His concern is that Christians are capable of allowing two extreme types of speech out of their mouths. On the one the one hand "we bless our Lord and Father." On the other, "we curse people who are made in the likeness of God."  He continues:  " From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." (3:9-10)

Especially troubling with the duality of speech described in this passage is the source that James attributes to evil: namely the devil. (3:6) Speaking evil of others fits well with what James describes  wisdom "from below" that is "earthly, unspiritual, demonic." (3:15)

For Christians, however, the source and content of speech should be understandably different. Rathat then leading to "quarrels" and "fights" (4:1), it should come from the "wisdom from above" is "first peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (3:17) Christian speech should only come from one good source!

The admonition of this passage is applicable for today. We need to always ask what is the source behind our countless words so that they don't result in destruction both in and outside the church. How many lives have been damaged by words that don't have their source in God's wisdom. But just as this passage provides a warning, it also provides an encouragement. For just as words have the power to destroy if their source is not from God, when their source is from God, they have an incredible potential for good. The have the potential to encourage, build up others, and even give life.

Depending on their source, our words are worth much more than the entire mineral water treasure of Germany! If our speech was water, would it be worth bottling?

Comments

[Mark and Lisa Thompson]

Gruss Gott Klauslis!

It is wonderful to read your blog and to be reminded of my own time in Stuttgart. You are in our thoughts and prayers and we would love to come visit you next year!

[Martin and Fiona Jones]

Dear Klausli family,
It's great to continue to read about your developments in Germany. We pray for you all regularly, and thank God for the time we were able to get to know you. Keep up your work for the Lord!

[Micah Foster]

Thanks for you blog. It's good to be able to see more of what you're doing. We'll keep praying for you.