Contradiction with Matthew 5:44
While James 3:9 discusses blessing God and cursing men, Matthew 5:44 encourages loving enemies and blessing those who curse you, suggesting believers should always speak well of all, emphasizing love for all mankind.
Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Contradiction with 1 John 4:20
James 3:9 focuses on the same act of using the tongue to bless God and curse men, but 1 John 4:20 emphasizes that if a man loves not his brother whom he has seen, he cannot truly love God whom he has not seen, challenging the duality in behavior.
1 John 4:20: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Contradiction with Romans 12:14
James 3:9 cites the act of cursing men, which Romans 12:14 opposes by advising believers to bless and not curse those who persecute them, encouraging consistent positive speech.
Romans 12:14: Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Paradox #1
James 3:9 highlights how people can both praise God and curse others, who are made in God's image, with the same mouth. The theological inconsistency here is the contradiction between worshipping God and speaking negatively about others, which implies a disconnect between one's faith and actions.
Paradox #2
James 3:9 talks about how people use their tongues both to praise God and to speak badly about others who are made in God's image. The contradiction here is the inconsistency between praising the Creator and then harming His creations with words. It highlights the conflict between our actions and attitudes, demonstrating how our speech can contradict our professed beliefs and values.