In previous chapters, James has talked about the tongue and the way we use our words. In chapter 3, he goes into full gear warning us of the intense destructive power that is capable of being unleashed through the tongue.

Here James takes us out of the hopeless place of believing that we are never going to be able to overcome the destructive reality of speech. He echoes Jesus’ words from Matthew, words that tell us that life giving words and actions come from a transformed heart, a new nature. As Christ followers, our hope for life giving speech comes from Christ who transforms us, makes us new, and gives us a renewed heart.