Why is it contradictory to "curse men" who are made in God's likeness? Setting the Stage: James 3:9 “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.” Why the Tongue Matters • Same instrument, two opposite outputs—blessing and cursing • Speech reveals the heart (Luke 6:45) • God hears every word (Matthew 12:36) Made in God’s Likeness: What That Means • Genesis 1:26-27—God stamped His image on every person • Psalm 8:4-5—humans crowned with glory and honor • Acts 17:28—“in Him we live and move and have our being,” underscoring shared origin Because each person bears that divine imprint: – We attack the image-Bearer when we curse – We indirectly dishonor the Image-Giver The Contradiction Unpacked 1. Blessing God yet cursing His image is self-defeating – 1 John 4:20: “Whoever does not love his brother... cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” 2. Our words to people must match our worship to God – Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” 3. Cursing denies the worth God assigns – James 3:10: “Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!” Better Speech: Biblical Alternatives • Ephesians 4:29—build up, give grace • Colossians 4:6—seasoned with salt • Proverbs 15:4—gentle tongue is a tree of life Living It Out – Remember every face reflects the Creator – Guard the heart; guarded hearts produce guarded tongues – Choose words that echo heaven’s verdict: every person is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) Blessing God with our mouths finds its fullest harmony when those same mouths honor the people fashioned in His likeness. |
    |