I’m not a better mind. But perhaps here is a crumb.


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9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. James 9-12
I would pause over the Apostle's words, of the wonderful
circumstance which he takes notice of, and which, more or
less, the people of GOD too fully know, and feel; that those
members of ours, which under grace, are used for glorifying
the LORD, in praising him, are also made the instruments of
sin. With the tongue bless we GOD even the FATHER. And,
though a truly regenerated child of GOD is restrained from
using the tongue to curse; yet, too often; perhaps, the tongue
is used in angry words. Hence, Reader! every child of GOD
hath an evidence in himself, when regenerated by the HOLY
GHOST, of a double principle within him; grace, and
corruption. Indeed, what higher proof can a child of GOD
need, than his own heart? . . . Robert Hawker

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v. 9. The human tongue is the instrument that is used in praising God for all his mercies in Christ, both in prayer and singing hymns. The tongue is used to thank God before meals, to speak of his glorious attributes and to join with other believers in worshipping the Lord. The human tongue is also the instrument that is used to curse, criticize, slander and speak harshly and hurtfully to men and women who were made by God in his own image.

v. 10. Some, by the grace of God, use their tongues to bless God! Some, whose tongues are untamed by grace, use their tongues to curse others and speak unkindly. Unfortunately, there are those who try to do both! With the same tongue they bless God, talk religion and profess holiness, while they also curse, criticize and speak evil of one another. ‘This, my brethren, is a contradiction.’ Not only is it wicked and sinful, but it is unnatural, unbecoming and unworthy of the Christian name.

vv. 11, 12. These illustrations are given to show how ridiculous and absurd it is to think that a man may truly praise God and with the same tongue lie, curse and blaspheme. It cannot be done, any more than a fountain can yield both fresh and bitter water at the same time, or a fig tree can bear olives. THE WORKS OF HENRY MAHAN Volume 3