Taming The Tongue!

Do you remember how hurtful the name calling on the playground could be?  For many it left them feeling embarrassed and deeply lonely.  We know that loneliness can cling to your heart like a wet sheet on a cold night! 

In order to protect ourselves we would learn a playground anthem.  The anthem went like this.  “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”!  Although it felt good to utter those words in the moment, yet it really never delivered the comfort or protection we had hoped for. The truth is we can recover from the bruises of sticks and stones, but harsh words can penetrate deep into our souls and walk with us for the rest of our lives.  

James would remind us to continue to rely upon Christ to have the power not to say words that tear down and destroy one another.  When speaking ask Christ if what I'm about to say will meet the NEED of the person I'm talking to.

·      N- is it necessary to say this?

·      E- Will this encourage them?

·      E- Will what I say edify them?

·      D- Will it dignify them? Col. 4:6; 1Peter3:9; Matthew 12:36

James illustrates the powerful influence of the tongue. “The bit and the horse”, A very small bit can turn a strong powerful animal.  “The rudder and the Ship” There are three reasons ships were hard to control back then.  They were very large, driven by strong winds, and were steered by a very small rudder. The rudder was a small blade on the end of a tiller, extending through a form of oarlock from the rear of the ship.  Compared to the size of the vessel and the power of the gale, the rudder was but a minute part; yet it guided the ship “wherever the pilot wanted to go. 

The tongue is also able to sway multitudes.   It can alter the destinies of nations “The spark and the forest” Thousands of acres of valuable timber may be devastated by a small spark. Likewise the tongue can control or destroy precious people made in the image of God

James speaks of “A flame of fire” The inflammatory tongue has turned brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, nation against nation.  It is as though all the wickedness in the whole world were wrapped up in that little piece of flesh.  James says the tongue can be both destructive and corrupting to the whole person.  The result is that it sets our whole life on fire.  The satanic force literally comes from hell. Valley of Hinnom a spot south of Jerusalem where the city was deposited and burned.

Finally James refers to nature again to make God’s point.  Can fresh and salt water come from the same spring?  He is saying no way! James concludes his talk of the tongue by going behind the physical organ to the real source of speech.  He asks, “Can a fig tree bear olives”?  A plant produces according to its nature, whether figs, grapes, or any other fruit.  So it is with “a salt spring”.  It cannot produce fresh water because it is not a fresh water spring. Therefore, out of the mouth of a surrendered person come helpful words; out the mouth of a fleshly person come hurtful words. 

Our privilege is to allow Christ to guide our tongue and speech.  I love what it says in Ephesians.  Let your words be seasoned with Grace.... In Proverbs’ we read, “Like apples of Gold in settings of silver are words spoken in the right circumstances.”  May we be a people who words bring healing to others.  For the glory of His name!