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Taming The Tongue JAMES 3:1-12 (KJV)
The Scriptures
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever
the governor listeth
5 Even so the tongue is a
little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our mem- bers, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Wisdom For Teachers (James 3:1-3)
This word of wisdom is aimed at those who would teach the Word of the Lord. Teachers are in a position to inform and misinform oth- ers. James cautions that this highly valued and respected position should not be taken lightly. James warns those who aspire to teach, inform- ing them they would receive harsher judgment and greater condemnation. James is certainly aware of the power teachers hold in shaping the spiritual lives of others. He warns teachers to examine their motives and
not be self-serving. Teachers are tasked with stronger speech ethics as a way of achieving the maturity needed to keep the “whole body” in check.
Wisdom From Environment (vv. 4-6)
James demonstrates the challenges of taming the tongue using images of things that affect daily life and survival. Horses are a common form of land trans- portation, but wild horses had to be tamed in order to be useful. James describes the tongue similarly. Using a bit, a skillful rider can control the horse’s every move. An experienced captain will suc- cessfully guide a ship of any size by controlling the rud- der.
James challenges believ- ers to control their speech to avoid self-destruction. De- scribing the tongue as a fire, James cautions against al- lowing Satan to use the tongue to “setteth on fire the course of nature.” The tongue has the power to ignite the
fire of hell.
Wisdom For The Tongue (vv. 7-8)
James issues another startling revelation. Animals can be tamed, but the tongue cannot. Trained animals were known to be an amazing sight in the first century Greco-Roman culture. How- ever, James says the skills do not exist that can tame the tongue. His shocking com- parisons continue. Since the Fall of humanity, snakes have been considered repul- sive and deadly. James simi- larly characterizes the untamed tongue. James’ de- scription recalls David’s prayer to be delivered from evil men who “have sharp- ened their tongues like a ser- pent; adders’ poison is under their lips” (Psalm 140:3). James issues this sobering reality —words kill. Without God, James warns, believers would not only destroy other Christians, but also be con- sumed by the deadly poison that resides within the power of the tongue.
Wisdom For The Double-Minded (vv. 9-12)
The contradictions James describes are reflec- tive of our human nature. James addresses these dou- ble-minded, double-talking contradictions by using the example of believers who speak out of both sides of their mouths — blessing God, yet cursing people. God is consistent, and Christian speech must consistently re- flect the heart of God. Words from the mouth speak the content of the heart (cf. Luke 6:45). James says blessings can neither come from a heart filled with venom nor can curses come from a heart of love. In much the same way that olives cannot come from a fig tree nor can a spring produce both fresh and salt water, James punc- tuates the need for believers to think, say, and do those things that reflect who they are in Christ.
We can choose to listen to the voice of God and do His will, or we can choose to put ourselves first and the care, concern, and love of others last.
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