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The Untamable Tongue
In Lesson 5, James dealt with how faith and works are tied together. Both are necessary for us to come to salvation. But, as both Paul and James point out, works can not save us. However, our works will bear witness to our salvation.
Moving right along, James deals with another problem in our Christian walk.
Your health
While preparing this message on how we use our tongue, I thought back to a Reader’s Digest article I read many years ago. It was a series on the functions of different parts of the body.
The article entitled “I am Joe’s tongue” explained its function and how it contributes to your body’s health. For example, the tongue is quite impressive as a part of the digestive system. In addition, it contributes a lot to our overall well-being.
On the other hand
The tongue can be ugly and can significantly damage individuals and society. The picture is one of a singer and his ugly expression. His tongue certainly does not attract good thoughts.
Sadly I have one terrible memory where I misused my tongue. I know that there were many more, but this one I will remember all my life.
One of my daughters and I were arguing. Finally, in my anger, I said, “I wish you had never been born.” She says she does not remember me ever saying it, but I know that I did and will forever.
My sin brought home to me how easy it is to harm with your tongue. Your words can never be taken back. You can apologize, but that does not erase the memory. So controlling what you say is extremely important.
The Untamable Tongue
Since I am a teacher, James gets personal in the third chapter. His warning about becoming teachers is something each of us should note. However, he is just trying to reach us with how difficult it is to say and do the right things in life. Such as controlling your tongue.
3 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. James 3:1-12 NKJV
Do you ever want to be the perfect man? James says all it takes is to talk without saying anything wrong. He knows, as you probably do, that it is impossible. We all let things come out that we wish we could recall.
Bits
James says, “3Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.” James 3:3 NKJV
Growing up in New Mexico ranch country and having a horse at an early age, I learned this truth. That even a 50-pound boy could make a horse go where I wanted. Once I got over my fear of falling off. It was a long way to the ground.
Ships
4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. James 3:4 NKJV
Such a little part
It would seem that you or I could easily control this small part of our anatomy, and yet all of us seem to be defeated by this small instrument.
As if we did not understand, James says, “5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. James 3:5-7 NKJV
No man can
8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8 NKJV
Is James talking about our untameable tongues? Surely we can gain control of a small part of our body.
Both bless and curse
It is time, as Christians, we start paying attention to what we say. We have become careless with our speech and allowed things of this world to enter our hearts. When they are in the heart, they always come out the mouth.
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude (image) of God. James 3:9 NKJV
If we think, we know that how we talk is wrong. It seems that people can hardly wait to tell some bad thing that someone has done. We don’t want people to talk about us, yet we find ways to be critical of others.
Paul tells Timothy that deacons or servants in the church are to be “reverent” and not “double-tongued.” Therefore, we mustn’t listen to men who misuse speech. Followers of Jesus are always to be mindful of what they say.
This ought not to be
Christians are like a spring of freshwater, and what they say should encourage other believers. Cursing or the use of slang words should never happen. Our lot is to inspire others.
10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. James 3:10-12 NKJV
It is clear that a Christian can not be both good and evil in their speech. A fig tree cannot bear olives.
James calls for a decision from each of us. What are we to be? Will we stop evil speech and follow Jesus, or will we pretend we are His followers?
Please Note
In the opening chapter of James, he says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” James 1:26 NKJV
Yes, James gets right to the point. If we live a life following Jesus, we must practice practical Christianity. Our tongue needs to be under control at all times. An untamable tongue is not going to work.
You can join us anytime. Following are links to the Previous Lessons from James: Faith Grows Through Trials – Lesson 1, Tempted by God – Lesson 2, Doers of the Word – Lesson 3, Impartial – Lesson 4, Faith – Works What Saves – Lesson 5, The Untamable Tongue – Lesson 6, Fighting and Quarreling – Lesson 7, Friendship with the World – Lesson 8, What is submission to God? – James Lesson 9, Judging and Boasting – James Lesson 10, Rich in What? – James Lesson 11, Be Patient and Persevering – James Lesson 12 and the last Critical Points of James – James Lesson 13