7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (James 3:8; 3:7-11 context)
I’m wondering if there is a person alive that can tame the tongue? Come on, we all have used it to not only praise, but also to curse. To gossip. Tell a little white lie. And to cuss – which is technically not the same a cursing, by the way. I know I am guilty. What about you?
So, what is meant by restless evil and deadly poison? Evil, in and of itself, is restless. The Bible describes Satan as an enemy that prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Destroy. Words can do that, too.
When you hear gossip, can you just let it go and not repeat it? When someone wrongs you, can you turn the other cheek, and let it go? I don’t know about you, but my first inclination is always anger, retribution, and to tell someone. Whether I act on it or not, my gut reaction is always vindication: an eye for an eye.
So, what can we do? The tongue – or what comes out of the mouth - is a result of what is going on in the mind and in the heart of a person. What are you thinking about? What’s in your heart? Like it or not, sooner or later it comes out of the mouth; it can be seen in our actions.
The Word tells us to think about whatever is lovely, true, noble, praiseworthy, of good report. Here’s the verse: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Phil. 4:8, NIV).
As we dwell in and upon the Word of God, we assimilate His character – godliness, holiness, love, and so much more. While my first inclination may be to my earthly or sinful nature, God in me (godliness) can take over as I give the situation to Him.
And so it is with the tongue. Get in the habit of ‘holding’ your tongue. Wait. Put a moment between stimulus and response. And in that moment where you pause, think Philippians 4:8; pray a prayer to God; do a heart check; and then respond. Remember, a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1, NIV).
Let what comes out of your mouth resemble this word picture: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).
Selah.
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