Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 3:10

"out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." — James 3:10 (ASV)

Again, James stresses the inconsistency of the tongue in that it is the source of such direct opposites as “praise and cursing.” He does not have only the unsaved in mind because he introduces his rebuke with the words “my brothers,” the term used throughout the letter to address believers (1:2, 16, 19; 2:1, 5, 14; 3:1; et al.). Although believers have in the indwelling Holy Spirit the potential for controlling the tongue, they may not be appropriating this potential. Hence, James insists that “this should not be.” The mouth should be used consistently to praise God and to express love and kindness to other people.