As I study the Word of God, I am amazed how frequently God emphasizes humility. It is easy to be humble when people agree with you. As long as no one challenges me, my pride stays in tack. But when someone else thinks his or her opinion or view is just as valid as mine, then I either display arrogance or humility.
Coriolanus was a military hero in Rome, about 500 years before Jesus came to earth. His exploits on the battlefield were legendary although few Romans had ever met him personally. In 454 B. C., Coriolanus decided to run for a political office: consul. He gave a public speech at which he displayed the many battle scars he had received over a 17-year span, fighting for Rome. Few people actually paid attention to the speech, but his talk about his scars for Rome won many people’s hearts.
The day to vote came and Coriolanus strode into the Roman forum flanked by the senate, the aristocracy, and other important politicians. He gave another speech, but this time his words came across as arrogant and disrespectful to the common people. He assumed he had already won the vote and he boasted of all his accomplishments. He came across as a pompous blowhard.
The common Romans decided they would not allow Coriolanus to be elected. They turned out in droves and voted against him. He was defeated. And he was bitter. A shipment of grain had arrived in Rome to be distributed to the people and Coriolanus gave a speech against the distribution. He spoke against democracy and suggested Rome get rid of her representatives.
At this third speech, the common Romans were very angry. Riots broke out around Rome. Eventually, the grain was distributed as it was supposed to. Coriolanus spoke yet again before the people but, again, he presented himself arrogantly and insulted those who disagreed with him.
Under pressure from the common people, the senate condemned Coriolanus to death which was eventually commuted to banishment for the rest of his life. The people celebrated in the streets in a way they had never done before.
Coriolanus showed what type of person he truly was through the words that he used. A person who cannot control his words cannot control his actions. James, the Lord’s brother, said as much: “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh” (James 3:8-12).
James will go on to say that the wisdom (and the tongue) that reflects Jesus Christ is the one which is pure, peaceable, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy (3:17). The tongue reflects the heart.
Paul Holland
