God gave a powerful tool when he created our tongue. It has the ability to build up and to tear down. James writes “Control your tongue.” Left to its own our tongues can weapons of mass destruction leaving a wake of hurt people behind us. Control your tongue and your life gets easier,
James 1:26
“If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.”
The Spark That Starts the Fire
There is no harder area of self-control in a person’s life than their tongue. It is so easy to let something we shouldn’t say slip out of our mouth. James reckons it to a spark that starts a forest fire or a rudder that turns an ocean liner. Our tongue is that powerful. Verse 26 is interesting because James says that if we think we are religious but can’t control our tongue, we are only fooling ourselves. Out of the mouth, the heart speaks. If what is coming out of our mouth is vile or harmful, that represents our heart. It is a real indication of our devotion to God.
Set Yourself Apart
In a world today where people are becoming more crass and shocking with what they say, the Christian can set themselves apart by how they use their words. Our words should reflect our devotion to Christ. We should lift up and encourage those around us. We should speak the truth in love. Gossip and slander shouldn’t be something that comes out of our mouths.
Take These Steps
If you are having a hard time controlling your tongue do a couple of things; First, repent of it. Go to God and seek His forgiveness for what you have said. Second, seek restoration. If your words have harmed others, you need to go and ask for forgiveness and seek to restore what was broken. Finally, you need to pray for self-control. God has the ability to impart to you the necessary strength to reign your tongue back in.