Who is Mature

James 3:2 “For we all stumble in many {ways.} If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.”

There are some who believe that maturity comes with age. While this could be the case, it is not a given by any means. I know far too many who are older in age but lack real maturity. Then there are those who believe that maturity is seen in the gray hair of a man or woman, or even your station in life after achieving great status through years of work. (Proverbs 20:29 supports the gray hair idea.) This is also well and good, except that I have also seen foolishness in these folks. Age can mean nothing, gray hair simply gives away that your body is conceding to age, and status just gets you respect from those who admire your station in life and wish they had it.

What about spiritual maturity? In some church communities how exuberant you are in worship or speaking in tongues is considered a sign of maturity. In other church communities maturity is weighed by how active you are or how many people you shared your faith with in a single week. This can be an ambiguous and elusive achievement based upon the views of others around you rather than on God’s word.

What demonstrates spiritual maturity? James gives us one important clue, it is our tongue. Can we control it? Can we live out our lives without slipping in this one matter? Gossip, hurtful words, coarse joking, speaking of things we should have left alone; yes, there are many ways we can falter in this one area of our lives. The idea of a perfect man is better translated as “mature man.”

James speaks as a man who knows from experience how difficult it can be to control the tongue. Either he has hurt others, or he has been hurt by the terrible tongue and its ability to tear a heart apart (maybe a little of both). I know when I read chapter three of James’ letter it is very convicting to me because I know of many of my own failures in this one area of sin. In fact, it concerns me because for every known sin, I am sure there are just as many people that I do not know about that I have hurt with my tongue.

Would we be mature? Controlling our tongue is a good start. James speaks of it as a guide to know your level of maturity.

For further study on the matter of the tongue, read through the book of Proverbs and note every time the writer brings up speech, talking, or other related matters. It is a constant topic in this Old Testament book.

God help us to control our tongue in a world where sarcasm and reckless speech are a way of life. Lord, lead us to control our lives, including with our tongues.