In our previous meditation, we learned that perfection is loving everyone, including our enemies, and not being sinless. The Greek word, ‘teleios’ which Jesus used in Matthew 5:48, is translated as complete, full of age, perfect. James also employed the same word in our text. He reasoned that whoever does not stumble in words is perfect. In other words, such a person is mature.

“Frivolity of speech is proof of imperfection or immaturity and increases the chances of sinning.”

James spoke extensively on the use of the tongue, particularly of the need to have it under firm control. In chapter 1 of his book, he touched on the use of the tongue twice. The first is in verse 19 where he enjoins us to be quick to hear but slow to speak. To close that chapter, he observed that the inability to bridle the tongue nullifies our professed religion. He gave more attention to the subject in chapter 3 and equated the controlled use of the tongue with perfection. Frivolity of speech is proof of imperfection or immaturity and increases the chances of sinning. “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19 NKJV). You can measure people’s maturity by their speech.