No Human Being Can Tame The Tongue

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.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. 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. 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.

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

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

James 3:2-10

With dry grassland all that is needed to start a bush fire and ultimately a forest fire, is a small spark.

The same is true of the tongue. It is a little muscle, but so much of what we are perceived to be comes from the tongue in our mouth.

For conversation that reflects God’s presence in us and pleases Him, let it “always be with grace.” When expressing our opinions during disagreements, let’s ask God to help us choose wholesome language that brings honor to Him.

Anger can make us speak our mind when we should be minding our speech.

Our Daily Bread – July 2, 2015