(James 3:1-12)…..My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
God’s Word gives us three illustrations to show us that such a small member (tongue) can control the body (v.3-6)?As a bit controls a horse, and a rudder controls the ship, so our tongue controls our body. The picture is that of a large healthy horse, powerful enough to do what it wants, is controlled by a small bit in the horse’s mouth, a bit which is only about 4 ounces of steel. Or the picture we get of a small rudder on a large ship, used to steer the ship wherever the pilot wants to go. Example – If you speak a lie, it won’t be long before you find yourself living a lie. If you speak in an immoral manner, it won’t be long before you begin acting immorally.
A small fire can easily cause great destruction, so it is with the tongue. It can boast great things (Psalm 12:3-4). Like fire, the tongue it can bring about destruction and devastation very quickly. (3:6)….And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity so set among our members (bodies) that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (Proverbs 16:27-28)….An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends. It seems that we see great forest fires every year where thousands of acres of are destroyed by just a little spark. So it is with words! One word of gossip, one lie, one harsh criticism, and the fire can begin. A loose tongue, can ruin one’s reputation, destroy churches, destroy marriages, destroy families, destroy friendships, etc. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison, the condition of men without salvation in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:13-14).
Taming The Tongue (v.9-12)
With our tongue we bless God, and then curse men, who are made in His likeness. James question, “How can we bless and curse from the same mouth?” Does fresh water and bitter water come from the same source? Does a fruit tree produce anything except what is supposed to come from it (Matthew 12:33-37)? True Christians are now to use their tongues so that they become like fountains of fresh water and trees that bear much good fruit (Proverbs 10:11) (Proverbs 10:20-21) (Proverbs 12:18) (Proverbs 18:21). Listen, God wants your tongue to be an instrument of, forgiveness, encouragement, wisdom, healing, in the lives of the people He brings your way (Psalm 141:1-4) (Ephesians 4:25-32) (Colossians 4:2-6). Whether we teach or not, we need to seek God’s help in controlling the tongue! (Psalms 19:14)….Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength (rock) and my Redeemer.