Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

In our modern world, we text, email, call, direct message, like a video, or comment on a post, but we rarely have to see anyone face to face anymore. It’s just the way things are now. We communicate constantly, but somehow we’re more disconnected than ever. We live in the same houses, work in the same buildings, attend the same churches, and yet… we might go days without real conversation. Honest, face-to-face, heart-to-heart connection. And James 3? It hits right at the heart of that.

James 3 talks about life and death and the power of the tongue. But let’s be honest—today, our tongue looks a lot like our thumbs. The new tongue is our thumbs. And that’s not just some catchy phrase—it’s true. Most of us spend more time tapping out messages with our thumbs than we do actually talking out loud with the people around us. Whether we’re texting friends, commenting on a post, sending a quick email, or liking something online, we are speaking. We’re expressing. We’re influencing.

And that’s what James is getting at. James 3:1–6 paints a vivid picture of just how powerful our words are. He says the tongue is like a bit in the mouth of a horse, or a small rudder on a massive ship—tiny, but controlling the whole direction. And then he goes even deeper, calling the tongue a fire, capable of setting a whole forest ablaze. That’s not a gentle metaphor. That’s a warning.

But it’s not just our tongues. It’s the things we type. It’s what we post. It’s what we share. It’s what we send when we’re frustrated. Or bored. Or trying to be funny without thinking. Words are still words, even when they’re digital.

The truth is, we don’t always think of texting or typing as “speaking,” but spiritually—it’s the same thing. Speaking live today isn’t just about what we say with our mouths in a crowded room or at the dinner table. Speaking live happens when we’re alone in our room with a phone in our hand. It happens behind a keyboard or from the front seat of our car while waiting in line. We may be sitting in the same house as our family members, yet texting them from across the room. We may be in the same office complex as our co-workers, but we’re shooting off emails instead of walking over and having a conversation.

And here’s the deal: in person or online, the platform doesn’t change the principle.

Words are words. Influence is influence. What we say matters. Where we say it doesn’t diminish its impact.

The Bible reminds us over and over again that we are not just people with opinions—we’re people on a mission. We are God’s representatives on the earth. We are His mouthpiece. That means what comes out of our mouths—or off our thumbs—should glorify Him. Because our mouths (and yes, our phones) are on a mission for our Master.

That’s a lot of pressure, right? But it’s not meant to weigh us down—it’s meant to wake us up.

See, not all words are created equal. There are words that bind us to lies, that drain us of hope, that cloud our vision, and pollute our minds. I’ve read texts that crushed my spirit. I’ve gotten emails that took the wind out of me. I’ve scrolled through comments that made me question everything.

But then… there are words that do the opposite.

There are words that heal. Words that open your eyes. Words that lift you up. Words that feel like water in a desert. Words that remind you who you are and whose you are. Words that pull you back when you’ve drifted, that light a spark in your soul, that whisper hope into the cracks of your heart.

Those kinds of words? They’re not ordinary. They’re authored by heaven. Supercharged with revelation and life. These are the kinds of words that are on a mission—words that bring the kingdom of God down to earth through the lives and lips of His people.

God’s Word over us is not just a comfort; it’s an activation. It’s meant to release something in us—power, authority, correction, courage, peace, wisdom, clarity, healing. When we read the Word of God, when we receive a word of encouragement, when someone speaks truth to us in love, it’s like something unlocks inside us.

And the beautiful, wild, humbling part of all of this is… He wants to use us to do the same.

But here’s the challenge: can we surrender our mouths to the mission of our Master?

Can we offer our thumbs, our posts, our inboxes, and our comments to Him as instruments of love?

Because the world doesn’t need more hot takes. It doesn’t need more sarcasm, more criticism, more division, more noise. It needs people who are willing to pause before they post. People who will think before they speak. People who will love instead of lash out. People who speak with fire—but it’s the fire of the Holy Spirit, not the fire of their own frustration.

James is calling us to a higher standard. He’s warning us, not because God wants us to walk on eggshells, but because God wants us to walk in power. And our power starts with our words.

You can feel it, can’t you? The weight of a well-timed encouragement. The sting of a careless comment. The slow burn of a compliment you needed but never got. The healing power of a message from a friend that came right on time.

Words do things.

They move things.

They create things.

They destroy things.

They build up. They tear down. They ignite. They extinguish. They bless. They curse.

And according to James, they can steer the course of our entire lives.

So I have to ask myself—and maybe you do, too: What direction are my words taking me?

Am I speaking life or just reacting?

Am I releasing hope or recycling negativity?

Am I building bridges or burning them down?

Am I representing the heart of Jesus, or just trying to win an argument?

This isn’t just about being nice online or making sure we don’t say mean things. This is about identity. This is about mission. This is about remembering who we are and why we’re here.

I’m not here to use my words to get ahead, prove a point, or vent my emotions. I’m here to represent Jesus. I’m here to carry His love, His truth, and His grace to a world that’s dying for real connection.

And I don’t always get it right. Sometimes I type too fast. Sometimes I post before I pray. Sometimes I say something I regret. But James reminds me that if I can get a hold of my tongue—if I can surrender my words—I’m unlocking something powerful. A spiritual discipline. A sacred trust.

James 3:2 even says, “Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” That’s how serious this is. If we can get our words under control, it affects everything else.

And don’t miss this: this isn’t just about our personal life. It’s about our relational life. Because our words don’t exist in a vacuum. They touch people. They shape people. They stay with people.

What you say today can echo in someone else’s tomorrow.

That message you send could be the very thing someone needed to hear to keep going.

That apology you type out could heal a wound years in the making.

That text of encouragement could pull someone out of a dark place.

That post could introduce someone to the hope they’ve been searching for.

It matters.

It all matters.

So today, I’m praying a very specific prayer: “Lord, make me aware. Make me thoughtful. Make me wise with my words. Don’t let me speak on impulse. Don’t let me react out of fear or pride. Teach me to speak life. Teach me to represent you well—online and in person. Help me to remember that my mouth is on mission.”

Maybe that’s your prayer, too.

Maybe, together, we can reclaim the power of our words and use them not just to communicate—but to transform.

Not just to speak—but to build.

Not just to react—but to redeem.

The tongue may be small, but its mission is massive.

And when we surrender it to Jesus, when we hand over our texts, our posts, our comments, and our conversations, He can do more through them than we could ever imagine.

So let’s speak on purpose.

Let’s post with intention.

Let’s type like people on a mission.

Because we are.

And the world needs our words to point them to the Word—Jesus Himself.