Taming the Tongue

Journey through James: 3:5b-12

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.— James 3:5b-12

If you went outside yesterday, you likely noticed the haze in the air. Sometimes it is hard to believe that a wildfire thousands of miles away from us can impact our air quality. Small fires in Canada, Utah, and Arizona have not only caused destruction in those areas, but those fires have also impacted millions of people. While the fires that are impacting our air quality are now massive infernos, they started with just a small flame. 

In the same way, our tongue is a fire. James says it's a world of unrighteousness and that it can set the entire course of our lives on fire. Just a few small words can ruin lives and cause immense pain. When our tongue is unchecked, it is set on fire by hell. James is not exaggerating here; he wants us to understand how dangerous our speech can be. 

The tongue is not easily tamed. Humans have learned how to tame many animals, but no one in their own power can tame the tongue. Our tongues are restless, just waiting for an opportunity to strike. The words we speak can be poisonous, not only to others, but also to ourselves.

We use our tongues to praise God and worship him and then turn around and curse people who are made in his image. We can bless God and then minutes later say horrible things about someone who is frustrating us. This should not be. Our mouths should not be used to bless and curse. When we sinfully speak about other people, we are also speaking against the One who created them. In reality, we are blessing and cursing God. This should not be.

The words we say are important because they are a reflection of our hearts. Words do not come out of our mouths unless they have first dwelt in our hearts. These verses are purposefully sobering. We often try and downplay or minimize what we say. The root of the issue is not the words themselves but the heart that produced them. We cannot tame the tongue through our own efforts or just by trying to stay silent. Changed tongues come from changed hearts, and God is in the business of changing hearts. 

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. — Psalm 19:12-14