Over the TopSample

Have you ever watched someone surf? If you have, you probably noticed a single fin on the back of most surfboards — and it's important! It gives the board stability, control, and direction. Without it, a surfboard is just an expensive ocean floaty. It is wild to think that so much rests on a single fin that, for the most part, no one sees.

Though James doesn't talk about surfing, he talks about something similar in James 3. As he is teaching his church, he wants them to see how a boat, similar to a surfboard, is steered by a single rudder. He then compares a rudder to the way they use their words. Even though they seem small, they have a tremendous impact. Words can heal or harm and stick with someone for years.

If something so small can have such a huge impact, doesn't using our words to encourage others makes sense?

Think about it: what good do hurtful words do for others? Nothing, right? So then, why would you want to use your words to hurt others when knowing how much damage they will do? This doesn't mean you can't be critical or bring up hard things. It simply means you should avoid saying something with the intent of causing hurt.

So, instead of using your words to harm others, use them to encourage each other. Generosity doesn't only have to be about money. James helps expand what it looks like to be generous. You can be generous with your encouragement.