Taming the Tongue

James 3:1-8 (NIV)

1. Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

2. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

3. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.

4. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

5. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

6. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

8. but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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The Word of God said it all… Who can tame the tongue? We need to exercise control; most of us find ourselves deep in trouble all because of our tongue.

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*******Listening and Doing*******

James 1:19-27 (NIV)

19. My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

20. for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

21. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

23. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror

24. and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

25. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.

26. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

27. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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When we commit wholeheartedly to God the Holy Spirit will teach us when and how to speak in any situation. So let us develop a closer walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ – He can and will be the difference in our lives.

May each of us think before we speak because once something is spoken it can be very harmful. May the God of all peace be with each of us daily teaching all to be kind and loving?

Blessing to all!
CJ