Nothing gets us into more trouble than our words. Taming the tongue is the most difficult task a person will ever take on. There is just an impulse in us to say things that we will regret later. James tells us that the tongue is like a rudder that steers a large ocean liner and spark that sets off a huge forest fire. Taming the tongue requires discipline, self-control, and help from the Holy Spirit.
James 3:8
“but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
Lack of Self Control
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of self-control when it comes to what people say, nowadays. In fact, the news is full of the rash and rude things the leaders of the world say or tweet. We’ve lost our ability to tame our tongues. The bible says “out of the mouth (read tongue) the heart speaks.” What people say is a reflection of what is truly being thought with our mind and felt in our hearts.
The Spark the Starts the Fire
It’s amazing how a small part of the body can cause so much havoc. James calls it a restless evil. That means it doesn’t like staying idle; it needs to be in motion. The problem is the more it is used, the more damage it becomes. Self-control is something we need to be praying for when it comes to our tongue. Left unbridled it will spew poison all over the place.
Get Some Help
If you struggle with what comes out of your mouth, it is essential that you ask God for help in this area. It might even be necessary for you to have a more mature saint come alongside you to mentor you and keep you accountable. Pray for forgiveness for the things you have said, seek to reconcile those who you have wronged, and ask for self-control in this area. You will find that this brings with it a sense of freedom you haven’t felt in a while. Taming the tongue is a mark of maturity.