Watch your tongue

ames 3:1-12New International Version (NIV)

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their 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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Our words have so much more power than we think they do.  Everyone of us have said something without thinking that we wish we could have grabbed the words out of the air before anyone heard them.  In this passage, James describes 3 powers of the tongue.  

The first one is the Power to direct.  He uses the illustration of a bit and a rudder. (3:1-4) He talks about how not all of us should be teachers.  Teachers should practice what they preach, otherwise their teaching is hypocritical. This passage isn't only towards teachers as in verse 2 it says we all stumble. Our sins of our mouth lead to sins in our deeds. During World War 2 there were posters that would read "lose lips sink ships!" The truth of the matter is that lose lips can wreck lives. Someone makes an statement they didn't mean to, can lead to them being forced to defend themselves in a fight. Because of his tongue the whole body is has to defend itself.   The bit and rudder are small instruments that have great power. They both overcome contrary forces. The bit controls a wild horse, and the rudder fights against wind and currents. Our tongue must overcome our old sinful nature that wants to control us. This means our tongue must be held in check by a strong hand, and ours is not strong enough on our own. WE NEED CHRIST. When Christ is in control of our tongue, then we no longer have to fear about saying the wrong things or even saying the right things the wrong way. When Jesus is the Lord of our hearts, then He will be the Lords of our lips also. Our mouth says what our heart feels.  The bit and rudder have the power to direct, which means they affect lives of others. Our words can do the something.  A runaway horse or a shipwreck can mean injury or death. A judge says guilty or not guilty and those words affect the destiny of the people who are involved. Even a simple yes or no from a parent can affect the direction of a childs live.  We should never underestimate the guidance we can give by the words we speak or not speak.   Peter spoke at Pentecost and it made a major impact on the Gospel going forth. Jesus spoke to a woman at a well and her life was greatly changed forever.   

On April 21, 1855 Edward Kimbal went into a shoe store and led a young man Dwight L. Moody to the Lord. Moody went on to make a major impact for the Gospel and his ministry continues to affect people today.  Our tongues have the power to direct others to right choices. 

The second thing is our tongue has the power to Destroy. (3:5-8)   James compares it to a fire and an animal.   The tongue is like a fire, one spark can spread and destroy a whole forrest and cost millions in lost timber profits.  A small spark can start a fire that can destroy a whole city. This happened in Chicago in 1871. There was a fire that started in the O'Leary barn that spread. This event left 100,000 people homeless, 17,500 building destroyed, and 300 people died. It cost the city over $400 million dollars in damage that day (which would be a lot more money today.) Our words can start fires also, it just takes a small spark. A hot head and hot heart can lead to words we wish we could take back.  The old rhyme "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me" is one of the biggest lies ever.  There are so many times people have said something to me that still affect me today, even if it happened when I was 7. Fire burns and it hurts.  Our words can even shut people away from the idea of having a relationship with Christ.   Our words are like a wild animal who preys and pounces then kills. For many of you their has been times where someone sank their poisonous words into you and it has left scars.  Our tongue can not be tamed by ourselves. But God can tame our tongues.  Animals and fire both can be tamed by man and when controlled become great resources. We have to let God be our Lord of everything.  Pray for His words to be the ones on your lips. 

The last power James describes about the tongue is the Power to Delight. (3:9-12)   He uses the examples of a fountain and of a tree.  A fountain can provide a cool drink of water for a man to stay alive. We use the water from a fountain for many different things. Water is life giving. Our words can also be life giving. But like water, when it is not controlled it can lead to damage like a flood. Water cleanses us.    

Our words can lead to very important things, and communication is always important in our relationships. We need to surrender our words to the lord and be filled with the Spirit.  May our words not tear people down but lift the up.  Our words can help make an impact on eternity. But we can not tame our tongues ourselves  it takes Christ.   He who is within me is way greater than I will ever be!!!

DJ McMickle

Ephesians 2:1-10